Cozen Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
๐คฅ
cozen
[หkสzษn ]
Definitions
deceive someone
To cozen means to deceive or trick someone into believing something that is not true. It often involves cunning or deceitful actions to gain something, such as money or favor, from another person.
Synonyms
beguile, dupe, swindle, trick.
Examples of usage
- He cozened his way into the inheritance.
- She felt foolish after realizing she had been cozened.
- The con artist cozened many people with his charm.
cheat or defraud
Cozen can also refer to the act of cheating or defrauding someone, often through deceptive strategies. This usage emphasizes the unethical nature of the act.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The scammer cozened investors out of their money.
- It's wrong to cozen your friends for personal gain.
- He was cozened by a false promise.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Historical Usage
- In Shakespeare's time, 'cozen' was commonly used in plays to depict deceitful characters.
- The word was often associated with con artists and swindlers in the 17th century, reflecting societal issues of the time.
- Legal documents from the 18th century show 'cozen' being used to describe fraud in financial dealings.
Literature
- Charles Dickens used the term in 'The Pickwick Papers', highlighting the cunning nature of certain characters.
- In literature, cozening often reflects deeper themes of trust and betrayal between characters.
- Modern authors might incorporate cozening as a plot twist, showcasing how appearances can be deceiving.
Pop Culture
- The term appears in various modern shows and movies, often depicting scams and tricks among friends.
- Popular video games feature characters that cozen players, adding layers of intrigue and deception.
- The concept of cozening has been explored in music, with lyrics referencing deceit and betrayal in relationships.
Origin of 'cozen'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the 16th century, where it was derived from the Italian word 'cozzonare', meaning to deceive.
- It originally referred to a form of trickery in legal contexts.
- The term is related to the old French word 'cozener', which means to cheat or swindle.
The word 'cozen' traces back to the early 17th century, derived from the Italian 'cosinare,' which means to deceive or to cheat. The Italian term itself is possibly rooted in the Latin 'cลsฤซnฤre,' which means to devise or contrive. Over time, 'cozen' has evolved in English to specifically denote the act of tricking or deceiving someone. Initially used in contexts involving fraud or deception, it has maintained a somewhat negative connotation throughout its history. Historically, the verb was commonly associated with various forms of swindling, particularly in financial contexts, reflecting the societal concerns over dishonesty and deceitful behavior in interactions among individuals.