[a. F. connivence, or ad. L. co(n)nīvēntia, f. co(n)nīvēnt-em, pr. pple. of co(n)nīvĒre: see CONNIVE and -ENCE. Originally always written -ence (though often altered in re-editions and dictionary quotations); the spelling connivance is rare before 1689, but has prevailed since c. 1720. Phillips and Kersey (up to 1721) have connivence, Bailey (1721–), followed by Johnson, connivance; but this is not justified either by Latin or French derivation.]
1. The action of conniving; the action of winking at, overlooking or ignoring (an offence, fault, etc.); often implying secret sympathy or approval: tacit permission or sanction; encouragement by forbearing to condemn.
1611. Cotgr., Connivence, a conniuence, or winking at.
1611. Speed, Hist. Gt. Brit., VIII. iii. 384. They dare not … to giue way or conniuence to any the lest iniustice.
1643. Milton, Divorce, II. xiii. (1851), 94. Not leading into error, as the Jewes were led by this connivence of Moses, if it were a connivence.
1700. Astry, trans. Saavedra-Faxardo, I. 78. The Multitude knows not what Connivance, Mercy, or Danger are.
1709. Strype, Ann. Ref., I. xliii. 472. [It] procured him a toleration, or at least a connivence.
1748. Richardson, Clarissa (1811), III. vii. 60. He thought it must have been known to be done by his connivance.
1856. Froude, Hist. Eng. (1858), II. x. 410. They were accused of sharing dividends by mutual connivance.
1861. W. Bell, Dict. Law Scot., 297. The husband’s connivance in her guilt … is a good defence to the wife against an action of divorce.
b. with pl.
1641. J. Jackson, True Evang. T., III. 195. They had … all convenient connivences, and compliances from the State.
1780. Sir H. Croft, Abbey of Kilkhampton (1786), 42. The connivances they were said to have assisted in.
c. Const. at, in, with († to).
1614. Bp. Hall, Recollect. Treat., 1095. Connivence at the outrages of the mighty.
1627. Lisander & Cal., IV. 63. By having any connivence with your crime.
1631. Massinger, Believe as You List, I. ii. What defence Can you alleage for your connivence to The Carthaginian gallies.
1712. Steele, Spect., No. 298, ¶ 1. The same connivance at the Vices.
1860. W. Collins, Wom. White, 376. Mrs. Rubelle’s connivance … in the conspiracy.
1886. Morley, Ht. Martineau, Crit. Misc. III. 192. Connivance at the peculiar institution of the Slave States.
† 2. lit. Winking (with allusion to sense 1). Obs.
1596. Nashe, Saffron Walden, 17. O thou that hast made so manie men winke … and yet knowest not what conniuence means.
1614. T. Adams, in Spurgeon, Treas. Dav., Ps. xxvi. 10. Their eyes will water and twinkle, and fall at last to blind connivence.
3. Nat. Hist. The fact of being CONNIVENT, q.v.
1830. Lindley, Nat. Syst. Bot., 225. The connivence of the anthers in a cone.
