Con.

1. Conformist.

2. Consul.

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con¹ «kon», adverb, noun.

–adv.

against: »

The two debating teams argued the question pro and con.

–n.

a reason against: »

The pros and cons of a question are arguments for and against it.

╂[short for Latin contrā against]

con² «kon», transitive verb, conned, con|ning.

1. to learn well enough to remember; study: »

Hunched at his desk, ceaselessly he conned his books.

2. to examine carefully; pore over: »

He…stopped to con what he had written before advancing to be greeted by the Speaker (London Times).

SYNONYM(S): peruse.

╂[Middle English cunnen, Old English cunnian test, examine]

con³ «kon», verb, conned, con|ning, noun. Nautical.

–v.t.

to direct the steering of (a ship): »

A local pilot familiar with the harbor steers, or cons, the ship out into deep water (P. V. H. Weems).

–n.

1. the act or process of conning.

2. the station taken by the person who cons. Also, conn.

╂[variant of cond < Old French conduire lead, guide < Latin condūcere to conduct]

con⁴ «kon», adjective, verb, conned, con|ning. Slang.

–adj.

swindling; duping: »

a con game, a con man.

–v.t.

to swindle; dupe: »

I was conned into buying an overpriced used car.

╂[American English; for confidence (game or man)]

con⁵ «kon», noun.

a rap with the knuckles; knock.

╂[compare French cogner to strike, thresh]

con⁶ «kon», noun.

Slang. a convict.

con⁷ «kon», noun.

Slang. consumption; tuberculosis.

con.,

1. against (Latin, contra).

2. concerto.

3. conclusion.

4. consolidated.

5. Law. consort; wife (Latin, conjunx).

Con.,

Consul.

con-,

prefix. the form of com- (Cf. ↑com-) before n, as in connote, and before consonants except b, h, l, m, p, r, w, as in concern, conduct.

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Con. [Con.] abbreviation

(in British politics) Conservative