from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cozen \Coz"en\ (k?z"'n), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Cozened} (-'nd);
p. pr. & vb. n. {Cozening} (-'n-?ng). ] [From cousin, hence,
literally, to deceive through pretext of relationship, F.
cousiner.]
To cheat; to defraud; to beguile; to deceive, usually by
small arts, or in a pitiful way.
[1913 Webster]
He had cozened the world by fine phrases. --Macaulay.
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Children may be cozened into a knowledge of the
letters. --Locke.
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Goring loved no man so well but that he would cozen
him,
and expose him to public mirth for having been cozened.
--Clarendon.
[1913 Webster]