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cozen

 - 3 dictionary results

coz⋅en

  [kuhz-uhn]
Use cozen in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
to cheat, deceive, or trick.
Origin:
1565–75; perh. < ONF coçonner to resell, v. deriv. of coçon retailer (< L coctiōnem, acc. of coctiō, cōciō dealer), influenced by MF cousin dupe, lit., cousin

Related forms:
coz⋅en⋅er, noun
coz⋅en⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To cozen
coz·en   (kŭz'ən)   
v.   coz·ened, coz·en·ing, coz·ens

v.   tr.

  1. To mislead by means of a petty trick or fraud; deceive.

  2. To persuade or induce to do something by cajoling or wheedling.

  3. To obtain by deceit or persuasion.

v.   intr.
To act deceitfully.

[Perhaps from Middle English cosin, fraud, trickery.]
coz'en·er n.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

cozen 
1561, perhaps from Fr. cousiner "cheat on pretext of being a cousin;" or from M.E. cosyn "fraud, trickery" (1453), perhaps related to O.Fr. coçon "dealer," from L. cocionem "horse dealer."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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