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The Collaborative International Dictionary
To con answer

Con \Con\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Conned; p. pr. & vb. n. Conning.] [AS. cunnan to know, be able, and (derived from this) cunnian to try, test. See Can, v. t. & i.]

  1. To know; to understand; to acknowledge. [Obs.]

    Of muses, Hobbinol, I con no skill.
    --Spenser.

    They say they con to heaven the highway.
    --Spenser.

  2. To study in order to know; to peruse; to learn; to commit to memory; to regard studiously.

    Fixedly did look Upon the muddy waters which he conned As if he had been reading in a book.
    --Wordsworth.

    I did not come into Parliament to con my lesson.
    --Burke.

    To con answer, to be able to answer. [Obs.]

    To con thanks, to thank; to acknowledge obligation. [Obs.]
    --Shak.