1.
[syn: bunco, bunco game, bunko, bunko game, con, confidence trick, confidence game, con game, gyp, hustle, sting, flimflam]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Game \Game\, n. [OE. game, gamen, AS. gamen, gomen, play, sport;
akin to OS., OHG., & Icel. gaman, Dan. gammen mirth,
merriment, OSw. gamman joy. Cf. Gammon a game,
Backgammon, Gamble v. i.]
1. Sport of any kind; jest, frolic.
[1913 Webster]
We have had pastimes here, and pleasant game.
--Shak.
[1913 Webster]
2. A contest, physical or mental, according to certain rules,
for amusement, recreation, or for winning a stake; as, a
game of chance; games of skill; field games, etc.
[1913 Webster]
But war's a game, which, were their subject wise,
Kings would not play at. --Cowper.
[1913 Webster]
Note: Among the ancients, especially the Greeks and Romans,
there were regularly recurring public exhibitions of
strength, agility, and skill under the patronage of the
government, usually accompanied with religious
ceremonies. Such were the Olympic, the Pythian, the
Nemean, and the Isthmian games.
[1913 Webster]
3. The use or practice of such a game; a single match at
play; a single contest; as, a game at cards.
[1913 Webster]
Talk the game o'er between the deal. --Lloyd.
[1913 Webster]
4. That which is gained, as the stake in a game; also, the
number of points necessary to be scored in order to win a
game; as, in short whist five points are game.
[1913 Webster]
5. (Card Playing) In some games, a point credited on the
score to the player whose cards counts up the highest.
[1913 Webster]
6. A scheme or art employed in the pursuit of an object or
purpose; method of procedure; projected line of
operations; plan; project.
[1913 Webster]
Your murderous game is nearly up. --Blackw. Mag.
[1913 Webster]
It was obviously Lord Macaulay's game to blacken the
greatest literary champion of the cause he had set
himself to attack. --Saintsbury.
[1913 Webster]
7. Animals pursued and taken by sportsmen; wild meats
designed for, or served at, table.
[1913 Webster]
Those species of animals . . . distinguished from
the rest by the well-known appellation of game.
--Blackstone.
[1913 Webster]
Confidence game. See under Confidence.
To make game of, to make sport of; to mock. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Confidence \Con"fi*dence\, n. [L. confidentia firm trust in,
self-confidence: cf. F. confidence.]
1. The act of confiding, trusting, or putting faith in;
trust; reliance; belief; -- formerly followed by of, now
commonly by in.
[1913 Webster]
Society is built upon trust, and trust upon
confidence of one another's integrity. --South.
[1913 Webster]
A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.
--Macaulay.
[1913 Webster]
2. That in which faith is put or reliance had.
[1913 Webster]
The Lord shall be thy confidence. --Prov. iii.
26.
[1913 Webster]
3. The state of mind characterized by one's reliance on
himself, or his circumstances; a feeling of
self-sufficiency; such assurance as leads to a feeling of
security; self-reliance; -- often with self prefixed.
[1913 Webster]
Your wisdom is consumed in confidence;
Do not go forth to-day. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
But confidence then bore thee on secure
Either to meet no danger, or to find
Matter of glorious trial. --Milton.
[1913 Webster]
4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were
confidences between them.
[1913 Webster]
Sir, I desire some confidence with you. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
Confidence game, any swindling operation in which advantage
is taken of the confidence reposed by the victim in the
swindler; several swindlers often work together to create
the illusion of truth; -- also called con game.
Confidence man, a swindler.
To take into one's confidence, to admit to a knowledge of
one's feelings, purposes, or affairs.
Syn: Trust; assurance; expectation; hope.
[1913 Webster]
I am confident that very much be done. --Boyle.
[1913 Webster]
2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.
[1913 Webster]
Be confident to speak, Northumberland;
We three are but thyself. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.
[1913 Webster]
As confident as is the falcon's flight
Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight. --Shak.
[1913 Webster]
4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault;
dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.
[1913 Webster]
The fool rageth and is confident. --Prov. xiv.
16.
[1913 Webster]
5. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.]
[1913 Webster]
The cause was more confident than the event was
prosperous. --Jer. Taylor.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
confidence game
n 1: a swindle in which you cheat at gambling or persuade a
person to buy worthless property [syn: bunco, bunco
game, bunko, bunko game, con, confidence trick,
confidence game, con game, gyp, hustle, sting,
flimflam]