cozen

[ kuhz-uhn ]
See synonyms for: cozencozeningcozener on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with or without object)
  1. to cheat, deceive, or trick.

Origin of cozen

1
1565–75; perhaps <Old North French coçonner to resell, verbal derivative of coçon retailer (<Latin coctiōnem, accusative of coctiō, cōciō dealer), influenced by Middle French cousin dupe, literally, cousin

Other words from cozen

  • coz·en·er, noun
  • coz·en·ing·ly, adverb

Words Nearby cozen

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use cozen in a sentence

  • He would fain cozen and betray us, like the Brother Richard, who at this very time is riding with our enemies.

  • After office home to dinner, where come in my cozen Snow by chance, and I had a very good capon to dinner.

  • Which being done I took leave and supped at my father's, where was my cozen Beck come lately out of the country.

  • Early to my cozen Thomas Trice to discourse about our affairs, and he did make demand of the L200 and the interest thereof.

  • Thence vexed home, and there by appointment comes my cozen Roger Pepys and Mrs. Turner, and dined with me, and very merry we were.

British Dictionary definitions for cozen

cozen

/ (ˈkʌzən) /


verb
  1. to cheat or trick (someone)

Origin of cozen

1
C16: cant term perhaps related to cousin

Derived forms of cozen

  • cozenage, noun
  • cozener, noun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012