cozen in English
- cozen⇄cozen, transitive verb, intransitive verb.
to deceive or trick; cheat; beguile. - cozen⇄noun cozener.
cozen in Telugu తెలుగు
Cozen
Part of Speech
Verb (transitive)
Pronunciation
/ˈkʌz.ən/ (rhymes with "cousin")
Definitions
- To trick or deceive someone, often through fraud or dishonest means.
- To obtain something by deceit or trickery.
Usage Examples
- "He managed to cozen money out of the unsuspecting tourists."
- "The con artist cozened his victims with false promises of wealth."
Etymology
Derived from the Middle French "cosson," meaning a cheat or fraud, and influenced by Italian "cozzonare," meaning to cheat in trade.
Synonyms
- Deceive
- Defraud
- Swindle
- Trick
- Cheat
Antonyms
- Be honest
- Be truthful
- Upright
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| French | Tromper | /tʁɔ̃.pe/ |
| Spanish | Engañar | /en.ɡaˈɲar/ |
| German | Betrügen | /bəˈtʁyːɡən/ |
| Italian | Ingannare | /iŋ.ɡanˈna.re/ |
| Portuguese | Enganar | /ẽ.ɡaˈnaɾ/ |
| Russian | Обманывать | /ɐbˈmanɨvətʲ/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 欺骗 | /qī piàn/ |
| Japanese | 騙す (Damasu) | /da.ma.su/ |
| Hindi | धोखा देना | /dhokha dena/ |
| Arabic | يخدع | /yakhdāʿ/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- In American English, "cozen" is pronounced as /ˈkʌz.ən/, similar to "cousin."
- In British English, it may have a slightly softer ending: /ˈkʌz.ən/.
Historical Usage
The word "cozen" was widely used in the 16th and 17th centuries to describe con artists and tricksters who engaged in fraudulent schemes.
Cultural Nuances
In older literature, "cozen" was used to describe elaborate deceptions in trade and finance, particularly in Shakespearean plays.
More Information
"Cozen" has largely fallen out of common usage but is still encountered in legal and literary contexts. It was frequently used in Renaissance English to describe dishonest merchants and swindlers.