Meaning
Sly; crafty; clever in surreptitious behaviour.
Etymology
Origin: Old English
From Middle English cunning, kunning, konnyng, alteration of earlier Middle English cunninde, kunnende, cunnand, from Old English cunnende, present participle of cunnan (“to know how to, be able to”), equivalent to con + -ing. Cognate with Scots cunnand (“cunning”), German könnend (“able to do”), Icelandic kunnandi (“cunning”). More at con, can.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles: