- con
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I. transitive verb
(conned; conning)
Etymology: Middle English connen to know, learn, study, alteration of cunnen to know, infinitive of can — more at can
Date: 13th century
1. to commit to memory
2. to study or examine closely
II. variant of conn
III. adverb
Etymology: Middle English, short for contra
Date: 15th century
on the negative side ; in opposition <so much has been written pro and con> IV. noun Date: 1589 1. an argument or evidence in opposition 2. the negative position or one holding it <an appraisal of the pros and cons> V. adjective Etymology: by shortening Date: 1889 confidence <a con artist> <a con game> VI. transitive verb (conned; conning) Date: 1896 1. swindle <accused of conning retirees out of their savings> 2. manipulate 2b 3. persuade, cajole VII. noun Date: 1901 something (as a ruse) used deceptively to gain another's confidence; also a confidence game ; swindle VIII. noun Etymology: by shortening Date: 1893 convict IX. noun Etymology: short for consumption Date: 1915 slang a destructive disease of the lungs; especially tuberculosis X. abbreviation 1. [Latin conjunx] consort 2. consolidated 3. consul 4. continued
New Collegiate Dictionary. 2001.
