Q: "coned", v. (past tense), 1741

[Herb Stahlke]

The OED gives the definition " 3. To get to know; to study or learn,
esp. by repetition (mental or vocal); hence, in wider sense, to pore
over, peruse, commit to memory; to inspect, scan, examine."  I think
it's related to "ken" in its sense of "know," cognate to Latin and
Greek gno:.  I suspect ken is e-grade ablaut and know 0-grade, but I'm
not sure of this.

Herb

On Wed, Nov 26, 2008 at 7:35 PM, Joel S. Berson <Berson at att.net> wrote:
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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       "Joel S. Berson" <Berson at ATT.NET>
> Subject:      Q: "coned", v. (past tense), 1741
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> What is "coned" in the following,a written by an intelligent and
> well-read 20-year old South-Carolinian miss in1742, describing her
> study of law from a book and writing wills for a few neighbors?
>
> "I know I have done no harm for I coned my lesson very perfect and
> know how to convey by will Estates real and personal and never forget
> in its proper place, him and his heirs for Ever ..."
>
> The editors of her journal do explain a few other words unusual to us
> today, but don't say a word here.
>
> Joel
>
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