ppl. a. [f. CONTRIVE v.1 + -ED1.] Ingeniously or artfully devised or planned.

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c. 1400.  Sowdone Bab., 333. The firste warde thus thay wonne By this fals contrevede engyne.

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1513.  Douglas, Æneis, XI. viii. 73. His dreid and sle controvit [1553 contruwit] feir.

3

1599.  Shaks., Hen. V., IV. i. 171. The guilt of premeditated and contriued Murther.

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1641.  Milton, Animadv. (1851), 203. As insufficiently … did they provide by their contrived Liturgies.

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1749.  Fielding, Tom Jones, XIII. vii. Don’t you consider this contrived interview as little better than a downright assignation?

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  b.  With qualification, as ill-contrived.

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1632.  Lithgow, Trav., IV. (1682), 135. A loathsom contrived place.

8

1664.  Butler, Hud., II. III. 400. In Mansion prudently contriv’d.

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1713.  Ockley, Acc. Barbary, 2. The Houses are large, but very ill contriv’d.

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1760–72.  trans. Juan & Ulloa’s Voy. (ed. 3), II. VII. xii. 130. Most of the houses are of stone, well contrived.

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