A.Word.A.Day --cozen

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Oct 5, 2010

This week's theme
Words about relations

This week's words
nepotism
cozen
avuncular
cater-cousin
Dutch uncle

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A.Word.A.Day

with Anu Garg

cozen

PRONUNCIATION:

(KUHZ-uhn)

MEANING:

verb tr.: To trick or deceive.

ETYMOLOGY:

The origin of the word is not certain. It is perhaps from French cousiner, in the sense of one claiming to be a cousin to derive a benefit from the relationship. According to another theory, it is derived from obsolete Italian cozzonare, from Italian cozzone (horse trader), from Latin cocio (dealer). The word cousin is also slang for someone gullible.

USAGE:

"Hobart began his career in art by cozening yokels out of unregarded treasures."
Rhoda Koenig; Kicking A Dead Horse; The Independent (London, UK); Sep 12, 2008.

See more usage examples of cozen in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY:

After the game, the king and pawn go into the same box. -Italian Proverb

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