from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Contrive \Con*trive"\ (k[o^]n*tr[imac]v"), v. t. [imp. & p. p.
{Contrived}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Contriving}.] [OE. contriven,
contreven, controven, to invent, OF. controver, contruver;
con- + trouver to find. See {Troubadour}, {trover}.]
To form by an exercise of ingenuity; to devise; to invent; to
design; to plan.
[1913 Webster]
What more likely to contrive this admirable frame of
the universe than infinite wisdom. --Tillotson.
[1913 Webster]
neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught
against his life. --Hawthorne.
Syn: To invent; discover; plan; design; project; plot;
concert; hatch.
[1913 Webster]