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con¹

(kŏn)

adv.

In opposition or disagreement; against: debated the issue pro and con.

1. An argument or opinion against something.

2. One who holds an opposing opinion or view.

[Short for CONTRA.]

con ²

(kŏn)

tr.v. conned, con·ning, cons
Archaic

1. To study, peruse, or examine carefully.

2. To learn or commit to memory.

[Middle English connen, to know, from Old English cunnan; see gnō- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots.]

conner n.

con³ or conn

(kŏn) Nautical

tr.v. conned, con·ning, cons or conns

To direct the steering or course of (a vessel).

1. The area or structure on a vessel from which the vessel is conned.

2. The position or authority of the officer conning a vessel.

[From cond, from Middle English conduen, from Old French conduire, from Latin condūcere, to lead together; see CONDUCE.]

con⁴

(kŏn) Informal

tr.v. conned, con·ning, cons

1. To swindle (a victim) by first winning the victim's confidence; dupe: a criminal who conned an unsuspecting tourist out of $5,000.

2. To cause (someone) to do something by lying, misrepresentation, or trickery: My roommate conned me into washing the dishes.

A swindle.

adj.

Of, relating to, or involving a swindle or fraud: a con artist; a con job.

[Short for CONFIDENCE.]

con⁵

(kŏn)

n.
Slang

A convict.

con-

pref.

Variant of com-.

con.

abbr.

1. concerto

2. Latin conjunx (wife)

3. consolidate

4. Con. consul

5. continued

Indo-European & Semitic Roots Appendices

Thousands of entries in the dictionary include etymologies that trace their origins back to reconstructed proto-languages. You can obtain more information about these forms in our online appendices:

Indo-European Roots

Semitic Roots

The Indo-European appendix covers nearly half of the Indo-European roots that have left their mark on English words. A more complete treatment of Indo-European roots and the English words derived from them is available in our Dictionary of Indo-European Roots.

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