con-

together, with; sometimes thoroughly

Forms

con-
com- — Used before certain consonants, especially b, p, and m.
col- — The final consonant changed before l.
cor- — The final consonant changed before r.
co- — The final consonant was lost in some combinations.

Origin

From Latin cum, “with,” and an older form com-.

Note

Togetherness could extend to completeness. Not every word containing this prefix retains an obvious “with” meaning.

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noun

conspirator

kun-SPEER-uh-ter/kənˈspɪrətər/

A person secretly involved in an unlawful or harmful plot.

The conspirator concealed the plan from the authorities.

One adult white man leans in to join two accomplices secretly discussing a stolen jewel shown in a picture-only plan.

Etymology

conLatintogether, with; sometimes thoroughly

+spirLatinbreathe or blow

+atorLatina person or thing that performs an action

The underlying image of “breathing together” may refer to a shared oath or instruments sounding in unison. It developed into agreement in a plot, with the agent ending naming a participant.

In context

HISTORY0:29

Another conspirator, Hakim Murad, is coming in. Wali Khan Amin Shah is coming in. All of the people that were captured around Ramzi Yousef's other plots: plots to kill the Pope in Manila,

The Missed Chances to Stop Osama bin Laden Before 9/11 | Road to 9/11

More examples

Several conspirators met in secret.
The arrested conspirator named his accomplices.
A letter linked her to the other conspirators.

Forms

conspirator · conspirators

conspiracy noun — a secret plan for unlawful or harmful action

Similar words

accomplice: An accomplice helps wrongdoing; a conspirator participates in a secret plan.
collaborator: A collaborator works with others and need not be involved in wrongdoing.