Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Connive \Con*nive"\ (k[o^]n*n[imac]v"), v. i. [imp. & p. p.
   {Connived} (-n[imac]vd"); p. pr. & vb. n. {Conniving}.] [L.
   connivere to shut the eyes, connive, fr. con- + (perh.) a
   word akin to nicere to beckon, nictare to wink.]
   1. To open and close the eyes rapidly; to wink. [Obs.]

            The artist is to teach them how to nod judiciously,
            and to connive with either eye.       --Spectator.

   2. To close the eyes upon a fault; to wink (at); to fail or
      forbear by intention to discover an act; to permit a
      proceeding, as if not aware of it; -- usually followed by
      at.

            To connive at what it does not approve. --Jer.
                                                  Taylor.

            In many of these, the directors were heartily
            concurring; in most of them, they were encouraging,
            and sometimes commanding; in all they were
            conniving.                            --Burke.

            The government thought it expedient, occasionally,
            to connive at the violation of this rule.
                                                  --Macaulay.