cony

or co·ney

[ koh-nee, kuhn-ee ]

noun

, plural co·nies.

1. the fur of a rabbit, especially when dyed to simulate Hudson seal.
2. the daman or other hyrax of the same genus.
3. the pika.
4. a rabbit.
5. Obsolete. a person who is easily tricked; gull; dupe.

cony

/ ˈkəʊnɪ /

noun

1. a rabbit or fur made from the skin of a rabbit
2. (in the Bible) another name for the hyrax, esp the Syrian rock hyrax
3. another name for pika
4. archaic.
   a fool or dupe

Word History and Origins

Origin of cony¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English, back formation from conyes, from Old French conis, plural of conil, from Latin cunīculus “rabbit, burrow,” a word said to be of Iberian origin, according with evidence that the rabbit spread through Europe from NW Africa and the Iberian Peninsula

Word History and Origins

Origin of cony¹

C13: back formation from conies, from Old French conis, plural of conil, from Latin cunīculus rabbit

Example Sentences

The Oxford English Dictionary charts the usage, including one line from a popular 1622 play co-written by a contemporary of Shakespeare: “ … they cry like poulterers’ wives, ‘no money, no cony.’

From Seattle Times

She cranks up the radio when it conies on.”

From Literature

From foes the conies shelter in the rocks.

From Washington Times

Anyone in the Settlement that hears the ringing quits doing whatever they’re doing and conies to the schoolhouse to welcome the new people.

From Literature

Another kestrel, perhaps his mate, conies to that cry, and after a few million years all the kestrels are calling each other with their individual note of Kee-kee-kee.”

From Literature

Related Words

• bunny
• coney
• hare
• lagomorph
• lapin