con

{{11}}con (1) "negation" (mainly in pro and con), 1570s, short for L. contra "against" (see CONTRA (Cf. contra)).

{{12}}con (2) "study," early 15c., from O.E. cunnan "to know, know how" (see CAN (Cf. can) (v.)).

{{12}}con (3) "swindling" (adj.), 1889, Amer.Eng., from confidence man (1849), from the many scams in which the victim is induced to hand over money as a token of confidence. CONFIDENCE (Cf. Confidence) with a sense of "assurance based on insufficient grounds" dates from 1590s. As a verb, "to swindle," from 1896. Con also can be a slang or colloquial shortening of some nouns beginning in con-, e.g., from the 19th century, confidant, conundrum, conformist, convict, contract, and from the 20th century, conductor, conservative.

{{13}}con (4) "to guide ships," 1620s, from Fr. conduire "to conduct, lead, guide" (10c.), from L. conducere (see CONDUCE (Cf. conduce)).