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.
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.
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.
Con- (&?;). A prefix, fr. L. cum,
signifying with, together, etc. See Com- .
Hear it pronounced