The act of pretending not to notice something wrong or secretly helping someone do something dishonest.
From Latin 'connivere' (to wink at, overlook), composed of 'con-' (with) and 'nivere' (to wink). The meaning shifted from literally winking to deliberately ignoring wrongdoing.
Connivence is morally fascinating because it's not quite the same as helping someone cheat—it's the power of silence. Historically, connivence by authorities allowed many wrongs to persist, making it a crucial concept in discussing systemic injustice.
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