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Cozening: meaning, definitions and examples

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cozening

 

[ˈkʌzən ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

deceiving someone

To cozen means to deceive or trick someone, often in a cunning or crafty way. This term is often used to describe situations where someone is misled into believing something untrue for the deceiver's benefit. The act of cozening can involve manipulation, guile, and cleverness, and it typically relates to fraud or dishonest behavior. Cozening is less common in modern language but still evokes a sense of the trickery associated with older forms of deception.

Synonyms

cheat, deceive, defraud, dupe, mislead.

Examples of usage

  • He cozened her into giving him money.
  • She was cozened by the promise of easy profits.
  • They ended up cozening the naive investor.
  • The con artist cozened the tourists out of their belongings.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word comes from the late Middle English ‘cozen’, which means to cheat or deceive.
  • It is derived from the Italian 'cozzone', which refers to a trickster or someone who cheats others.
  • The term has roots in the Latin 'cūnctārī', which means to delay or deceive.

Historical Context

  • Cozening was commonly noted as a crime in 17th century England, associated with swindlers and con artists.
  • Many famous literary works from the period featured characters who cozened others, illustrating the social issues of deception.
  • Legal documents from the time often cited cozening as a serious offense, charging people for defrauding their neighbors.

Pop Culture

  • Several classic films depict characters using cozening to manipulate others for gain, showcasing the timeless nature of deceit.
  • The term appears in notable works by Shakespeare, often referring to deceptive practices in both comedic and tragic contexts.
  • Modern adaptations of such literature still play on the idea of cozening, making it relatable in today’s storytelling.

Psychology

  • Understanding cozening ties into psychological principles of trust and manipulation, highlighting why people fall for tricks.
  • Studies suggest that emotional appeals often undersell critical thinking, which can lead individuals to become victims of cozening.
  • Recognizing signs of deceit involves both innate intuition and learned behavior through past experiences.

Literature

  • Literature from the past frequently explores themes of trust and betrayal, with cozening serving as a backdrop for conflict.
  • Characters who engage in cozening often face moral dilemmas, making readers question ethics and consequences.
  • In poetry and prose, cozening serves as a metaphor for broader themes of deception in personal relationships.

Translations

Translations of the word "cozening" in other languages:

🇵🇹 enganar

🇮🇳 धोखा देना

🇩🇪 betrügen

🇮🇩 menipu

🇺🇦 обманювати

🇵🇱 oszukiwać

🇯🇵 騙す

🇫🇷 tromper

🇪🇸 engañar

🇹🇷 aldatmak

🇰🇷 속이다

🇸🇦 يخدع

🇨🇿 podvést

🇸🇰 podvádzať

🇨🇳 欺骗

🇸🇮 prevarati

🇮🇸 svindla

🇰🇿 алдау

🇬🇪 მატყუება

🇦🇿 aldatmaq

🇲🇽 engañar

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,983, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.