3 entries under this word
. A Latin preposition signifying with or against, used in composition as an inseparable prefix, for com, q. v., before all consonants, except the labials b, p, and m. Before l, con or com is changed into col, as in to collect, from Lat. colligere, and before a vowel or h, the n or m is dropped, as in to cooperate, to coalesce, to cohibit, &c.
An abbreviation of the Lat. contra, against. In the phrase pro and con, for and against, it denotes the negative or contrary side of a question; used as a substantive, it denotes a person who is in the negative; as, the pros and cons.
v. t. [imp. & p. p. CONNED (kŏnd); p. pr. & vb. n. CONNING.] [A.-S. cunnan, to know, to know how to do, to be able, allied to cennan, to beget, to bring forth; O. Sax. kunnan, Goth. kunnan, Icel. & Sw. kunna, Dan. kunne, O. H. Ger. kunnen, M. H. Ger. künnen, N. H. Ger. können, D. kunnen, to know, to be able.]
Sense 1. To know. [Obs.]
Of muses, Hobbinol, I con no skill. Spenser.
Which I conned of Tityrus in my youth. Spenser.
Sense 2. To study over; to consider; to dwell upon; to endeavor to fix in the mind; to peruse; as, to con a lesson.
Fixedly did look Upon the muddy waters which he conned As if he had been reading in a book. Wordsworth.
— To con answer, to be able to answer. [Obs.] Chaucer.
— To con thanks, to be pleased or obliged, or to thank. [Obs.] Shak.