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]

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.
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            We have had pastimes here, and pleasant game.
                                                  --Shak.
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   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.
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            But war's a game, which, were their subject wise,
            Kings would not play at.              --Cowper.
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   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.
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   3. The use or practice of such a game; a single match at
      play; a single contest; as, a game at cards.
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            Talk the game o'er between the deal.  --Lloyd.
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   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.
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   5. (Card Playing) In some games, a point credited on the
      score to the player whose cards counts up the highest.
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   6. A scheme or art employed in the pursuit of an object or
      purpose; method of procedure; projected line of
      operations; plan; project.
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            Your murderous game is nearly up.     --Blackw. Mag.
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            It was obviously Lord Macaulay's game to blacken the
            greatest literary champion of the cause he had set
            himself to attack.                    --Saintsbury.
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   7. Animals pursued and taken by sportsmen; wild meats
      designed for, or served at, table.
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            Those species of animals . . . distinguished from
            the rest by the well-known appellation of game.
                                                  --Blackstone.
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   Confidence game. See under Confidence.

   To make game of, to make sport of; to mock. --Milton.
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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.
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            Society is built upon trust, and trust upon
            confidence of one another's integrity. --South.
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            A cheerful confidence in the mercy of God.
                                                  --Macaulay.
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   2. That in which faith is put or reliance had.
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            The Lord shall be thy confidence.     --Prov. iii.
                                                  26.
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   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.
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            Your wisdom is consumed in confidence;
            Do not go forth to-day.               --Shak.
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            But confidence then bore thee on secure
            Either to meet no danger, or to find
            Matter of glorious trial.             --Milton.
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   4. Private conversation; (pl.) secrets shared; as, there were
      confidences between them.
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            Sir, I desire some confidence with you. --Shak.
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   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.
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              I am confident that very much be done. --Boyle.
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   2. Trustful; without fear or suspicion; frank; unreserved.
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            Be confident to speak, Northumberland;
            We three are but thyself.             --Shak.
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   3. Having self-reliance; bold; undaunted.
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            As confident as is the falcon's flight
            Against a bird, do I with Mowbray fight. --Shak.
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   4. Having an excess of assurance; bold to a fault;
      dogmatical; impudent; presumptuous.
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            The fool rageth and is confident.     --Prov. xiv.
                                                  16.
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   5. Giving occasion for confidence. [R.]
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            The cause was more confident than the event was
            prosperous.                           --Jer. Taylor.
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