Con \Con\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Conned; p. pr. & vb. n.
Conning.]
[AS. cunnan to know, be able, and (derived from
this) cunnian to try, test. See Can, v. t. & i.]
1. To know; to understand; to acknowledge. [Obs.]
Of muses, Hobbinol, I con no skill. --Spenser.
They say they con to heaven the highway. --Spenser.
2. To study in order to know; to peruse; to learn; to commit
to memory; to regard studiously.
Fixedly did look Upon the muddy waters which he
conned As if he had been reading in a book.
--Wordsworth.
I did not come into Parliament to con my lesson.
--Burke.
To con answer, to be able to answer. [Obs.]
To con thanks, to thank; to acknowledge obligation. [Obs.]
--Shak.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) |