Dictionary Workbench Ondict

contrive

Dictionary entry view. Switch to definition mode above when you know the meaning but not the word.

contrive

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English 5++朗文当代英语 5++LDOCE 5++朗文 5++con·trive /kənˈtraɪv/ verb [transitive]  1 formalSUCCEED IN DOING something to succeed in doing something in spite of difficulties 设法做到contrive to do something Schindler contrived to save more than 1,000 Polish Jews from the Nazis. 辛德勒设法从纳粹手中营救了1,000多名波兰犹太人。2 ARRANGE A MEETING, EVENT ETCto arrange an event or situation in a clever way, especially secretly or by deceiving people 〔尤指秘密〕谋划,策划 The lawsuit says oil companies contrived the oil shortage in the 1970s. 诉讼中说,是石油公司策划了20世纪70年代的油荒。3 MAKEto make or invent something in a skilful way, especially because you need it suddenly 〔尤指由于突然需要而〕造出,想出,发明,设计 In 1862, a technique was contrived to take a series of photographs showing stages of movement. 1862年时发明了一种技术,可以拍出一连串展示连续动作的照片。→ See Verb table
Examples from the Corpus
contriveThey spoke of trading and contriving.The lawsuit says oil companies contrived a gasoline shortage in the early 1970s.He contrived a meeting between his mother and her ex- husband.Richter contrived a scale to measure the force of an earthquake.In the play Amos contrives a scheme to make Paul pay back the money he owes him.They can not be urgent if they must be contrived for him.In as tactful a way as she could contrive she asked Shildon to hurry up with what he wanted to say.Fortunately this morning Rose had contrived to rid himself of Naseby's services.contrive to do somethingBut in spite or all that, Naples contrives to be wonderful, in the real sense of that overworked word.Or has he contrived to bring you out - given you an in-tray and an out?Parmenter would contrive to get document blanks from the Records Branch.The chef contrives to keep the fresh taste of the vegetables.I by contrast contrived to leave my grammar school in the Midlands without A levels.It sounds contrived to me, Holmes.But Ember contrived to nudge her reassuringly and a gravity-shift bounced her high and maybe it was all possible after all.Mr Clark and Mr Chrétien may indeed contrive to rebuild national unity on a new set of compromises.Visiting Buffalo, he contrived to see her but again did not express his feelings for her.
Origin contrive (1200-1300) Old French controver, from Late Latin contropare
con·trive verbChineseSyllable
of in in spite doing Corpus to succeed something


contrive
contrive /kənˈtraɪv/ verb [transitive]
 Date: 1200-1300
 Language: Old French
 Origin: controver, from Late Latin contropare
1. formal to succeed in doing something in spite of difficulties
    contrive to do something
    Schindler contrived to save more than 1,000 Polish Jews from the Nazis.
2. to arrange an event or situation in a clever way, especially secretly or by deceiving people:
    The lawsuit says oil companies contrived the oil shortage in the 1970s.
3. to make or invent something in a skilful way, especially because you need it suddenly:
    In 1862, a technique was contrived to take a series of photographs showing stages of movement.


con·triveBrE /kənˈtraɪv/ 🔊NAmE /kənˈtraɪv/ 🔊 verbpresent simple - I / you / we / they contrive BrE /kənˈtraɪv/ 🔊 NAmE /kənˈtraɪv/ 🔊present simple - he / she / it contrives BrE /kənˈtraɪvz/ 🔊 NAmE /kənˈtraɪvz/ 🔊past simple contrived BrE /kənˈtraɪvd/ 🔊 NAmE /kənˈtraɪvd/ 🔊past participle contrived BrE /kənˈtraɪvd/ 🔊 NAmE /kənˈtraɪvd/ 🔊 -ing form contriving BrE /kənˈtraɪvɪŋ/ 🔊 NAmE /kənˈtraɪvɪŋ/ 🔊 (formal) ~ to do sth to manage to do sth despite difficulties (不顾困难而)设法做到She contrived to spend a couple of hours with him every Sunday evening. 每周星期日晚上她都设法与他待上几个小时。🔊🔊~ sth to succeed in making sth happen despite difficulties (克服困难)促成某事I decided to contrive a meeting between the two of them. 我决定设法让他们双方见上一面。🔊🔊~ sth to think of or make sth, for example a plan or a machine, in a clever way 巧妙地策划;精巧地制造(如机器)They contrived a plan to defraud the company. 他们精心策划要欺诈那家公司。🔊🔊