Legal Definitions - cosen

The term "cosen" is an alternative, less common spelling of the verb cozen.

To cozen someone means to skillfully deceive, trick, or mislead them, often through artful persuasion, flattery, or subtle manipulation, with the intent of gaining something valuable (such as money, property, or an advantage) from them. It implies a form of subtle fraud or swindling.

Here are some examples illustrating the term:

• Example 1: A con artist managed to cozen an elderly widow into revealing her bank account details by posing as a representative from her bank and claiming there was an urgent security issue. Through a series of convincing but false phone calls, the con artist persuaded her to transfer a significant sum of money to a fraudulent account.

  Explanation: The con artist employed deceptive tactics and false pretenses to trick the widow into giving up her money, which is a clear instance of cozening.

• Example 2: During a negotiation, a shrewd business owner attempted to cozen a less experienced competitor into signing a contract with unfavorable terms. The owner used complex legal jargon and presented misleading financial projections to obscure the true disadvantages of the agreement, hoping the competitor would sign without fully understanding the implications.

  Explanation: The business owner used deceptive language and misrepresented facts to trick the competitor into an agreement that would benefit the owner at the competitor's expense, demonstrating the act of cozening.

• Example 3: A manipulative individual tried to cozen their wealthy relative into changing their will by constantly flattering them, showering them with insincere affection, and subtly disparaging other family members. The goal was to persuade the relative to leave a larger inheritance to the manipulative individual.

  Explanation: The individual used flattery and subtle manipulation to deceive the relative into making a decision that would benefit the individual, illustrating the act of cozening for personal gain.