Cozen

Part of speech: verb

Pronunciation: /ˈkəʊzən/

Definitions

1. To mislead or trick someone by using cunning or deceit
2. To obtain something by dishonest means or fraud
3. To cheat a person through sly or fraudulent actions

Etymology: The verb "cozen" most likely comes from an obsolete Italian word, "cozzonare," meaning "to cheat," which grew out of "cozzone," a term for a middleman or broker. That Italian noun traces back to Latin "cōciō," meaning "dealer." A trader who haggles and works between buyer and seller is a short step from a swindler, and the English verb probably picked up that sense through this Italian route rather than arising in English itself. The English form is simpler to explain. It was built by adding the ending "-en" to "coz," a clipped form of "cozen"'s own base that also appears in the older word "cozy," used in the sense of a friendly, chatty manner. Medieval English often added this ending to verbs, and "cozen" settled into its current meaning of deceiving someone by trickery.

Synonyms: dupe, cheat, trick, deceive, defraud

Antonyms: honor, aid, assist, support, help