Archcozener

/ˌɑːrkˈkoʊzənər/ noun

Definition

The chief or supreme person engaged in deception, trickery, or cheating others out of money or trust.

Etymology

From arch- (chief, principal) + cozener (from cozene, an obsolete verb meaning 'to cheat or deceive,' possibly from Italian cousino). The archcozener is the master deceiver.

Kelly Says

Con artists and swindlers in medieval times were called cozeners, and the best ones—the ones who could fool entire towns—earned the title archcozener, making them folk legends in a very disreputable way!

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