cozen

coz·en

[kuhz-uhn]
verb (used with object), verb (used without object)
to cheat, deceive, or trick.

Origin:
1565–75; perhaps < Old North French coçonner to resell, verbal derivative of coçon retailer (< Latin coctiōnem, accusative of coctiō, cōciō dealer), influenced by Middle French cousin dupe, literally, cousin

coz·en·er, noun
coz·en·ing·ly, adverb
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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World English Dictionary
cozen (ˈkʌzən) [Click for IPA pronunciation guide]
 
vb
to cheat or trick (someone)
 
[C16: cant term perhaps related to cousin]
 
'cozenage
 
n
 
'cozener
 
n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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00:10
Cozen is always a great word to know.
So is quincunx. Does it mean:
a calculus or concretion found in the stomach or intestines of certain animals, esp. ruminants, formerly reputed to be an effective remedy for poison.
an arrangement of five objects, as trees, in a square or rectangle, one at each corner and one in the middle.
Etymonline
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, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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