Con, adv. [Abbrev. from L. contra against.]
Against the affirmative side; in opposition; on the negative side; -- The antithesis of pro, and usually in connection with it. See Pro.
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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.
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Con, v. t. [See Cond.] (Naut.)
To conduct, or superintend the steering of (a vessel); to watch the course of (a vessel) and direct the helmsman how to steer.
© Webster 1913