contrive
/kənˈtɹaɪv/
Word Rarity
Very rare
Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.18 in modern English
13
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
verb
To invent by an exercise of ingeniosity; to devise
verb
To invent, to make devices; to form designs especially by improvisation.
verb
To project, cast, or set forth, as in a projection of light.
Example Sentences
- "[…]I cannot bear the idea of two young women traveling post by themselves. It is highly improper. You must contrive to send somebody."
- "Neither do thou imagine that I shall contrive aught against his life."
- "With a little manœuvring they contrived to meet on the doorstep which was […] in a boiling stream of passers-by, hurrying business people speeding past in a flurry of fumes and dust in the bright haze."
Etymology
From Middle English contreve (“to invent”), from Old French controver (Modern French controuver), from trover (“to find”) (French trouver).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: contreve, controver