Con, v. t. [imp. & p. p.Conned (?); p. pr. & vb. n.Conning.] [AS. cunnan to know, be able, and (derived from this) cunnian to try, test. See Can, v. t. & i.] 1. To know; to understand; to acknowledge.
Of muses, Hobbinol, I con no skill.
Spenser.
They say they con to heaven the highway.
Spenser.
2. To study in order to know; to peruse; to learn; to commit to memory; to regard studiously.
Fixedly did look
Upon the muddy waters which he conned
As if he had been reading in a book.
Wordsworth.
I did not come into Parliament to con my lesson.
Burke.
To con answer, to be able to answer. — To con thanks, to thank; to acknowledge obligation. Shak.