Con — Defs

01 adv. Against the affirmative side; in opposition; on the negative side; -- The antithesis of pro, and usually in connection with it. See Pro.

1.
Against the affirmative side; in opposition; on the negative side; -- The antithesis of pro, and usually in connection with it. See Pro. See: Pro

02 v. t. To know; to understand; to acknowledge.

imp. & p. p. Conned; p. pr. & vb. n. Conning

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.

Phrases & compounds

To con answer — to be able to answer.

To con thanks — to thank; to acknowledge obligation.

03 v. t. To conduct, or superintend the steering of (a vessel); to watch the course of (a vessel) and direct the helmsman how to steer.

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