Word Direct Answers

What does "con" mean?

Con: To know; to understand; to acknowledge. [Obs.] Of muses, Hobbinol, I con no skill. Spenser. They say they con to heaven the highway. Spenser.

Additional senses

  1. 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. Wodsworth. 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.
  2. 3.To conduct, or superintend the steering of (a vessel); to watch the course of (a vessel) and direct the helmsman how to steer.

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