CONTRIVE

invent, contrive, devise, excogitate, formulate, forge

(verb) come up with (an idea, plan, explanation, theory, or principle) after a mental effort; “excogitate a way to measure the speed of light”

project, cast, contrive, throw

(verb) put or send forth; “She threw the flashlight beam into the corner”; “The setting sun threw long shadows”; “cast a spell”; “cast a warm light”

plan, project, contrive, design

(verb) make or work out a plan for; devise; “They contrived to murder their boss”; “design a new sales strategy”; “plan an attack”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Verb

contrive (third-person singular simple present contrives, present participle contriving, simple past and past participle contrived)

To invent by an exercise of ingenuity; to devise

Synonyms: plan, scheme, plot, hatch

To invent, to make devices; to form designs especially by improvisation.

To project, cast, or set forth, as in a projection of light.

(obsolete, transitive) To spend (time, or a period).

Synonyms

• becast

• cast about

Anagrams

• renovict

Source: Wiktionary

Con*trive", v. t. [imp. & p.p. Contrived; p.pr. & vb.n. Contriving.] Etym: [OE. contriven, contreven, controven, to invent, OF. controver, contruver; con- + trouver to find. See Troubadour, trover.]

Definition: To form by an exercise of ingenuity; to devise; to invent; to design; to plan. What more likely to contrive this admirable frame of the universe than infinite wisdom. Tillotson. neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life. Hawthorne.

Syn.

– To invent; discover; plan; design; project; plot; concert; hatch.

Con*trive", v. i.

Definition: To make devices; to form designs; to plan; to scheme; to plot. The Fates with traitors do contrive. Shak. Thou hast contrived against th very life Of the defendant. Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition