cozen
pronunciation
How to pronounce cozen in British English:
UK ['kʌzn]
How to pronounce cozen in American English:
US [ˈkʌzən]
-
- Verb:
- be false to; be dishonest with
- act with artful deceit
- cheat or trick
Word Origin
- cozen (v.)
- 1560s, of uncertain origin; perhaps from French cousiner "cheat on pretext of being a cousin;" or from Middle English cosyn "fraud, trickery" (mid-15c.), which is perhaps related to Old French coçon "dealer, merchant, trader," from Latin cocionem "horse dealer." Related: Cozened; cozening; cozenage.
Example
- 1. Thou art not vanquished , but cozen 'd and beguiled .
- 2. A clever lawyer can cozen the prisoner into an admission of guilt .
- 3. The pretty child could cozen anything out of his old grandfather .