contrive

Word family

con·trive /kənˈtraɪv/ verb [transitiveT]

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。

Examples from the Corpus

contrive• They 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 something• But 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 verb

Chinese

Syllable

Corpus