conn

verb

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\ ˈkän

variants: or less commonly con

conned; conning

Definition of conn

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

: to conduct or direct the steering of (a vessel, such as a ship)

conn

noun

variants: or less commonly con

Definition of conn (Entry 2 of 3)

: the control exercised by one who conns a ship

Conn

abbreviation

Definition of Conn (Entry 3 of 3)

Connecticut

Synonyms Did you know? Example Sentences Learn More About conn

Did you know?

Verb

In the 19th century, warships (and, later, submarines) began to be built with structures known as "conning towers." These structures were so called because it was from them that an officer could "conn" the vessel. The verb "conn" (also spelled "con") is first known to have appeared in English in the 1600s. It is an alteration of "cond," which is probably an alteration of Middle English "condien" or conduen, meaning "to conduct." Since the 19th century, "conn" has also been used as a noun ("the control exercised by one who conducts or directs the steering of a ship"). This noun, though seldom encountered in general English, is likely familiar to fans of the various Star Trek series in which the directive "You have the conn" is sometimes given from the starship captain to another officer on the bridge.