An abbreviation of the L. prep. contra ‘against,’ in the phrase PRO AND CON (q.v.) ‘for and against,’ rarely con and pro.
A. as adv.
c. 1470. [see CONTRA].
1572. R. H., trans. Lavaterus’ Ghostes, To Rur. (1596), A ij. The matter throughly handled Pro and Con.
1667. Denham, Direct. to Painter, I. xix. May Historians argue con and pro.
1819. Byron, Lett. to Murray, 25 Jan. The rest … has never yet affected any human production ‘pro or con.’
B. sb. The adv. used as a name for itself; hence, a reason, argument, or arguer against, esp. in pros and cons.
1589. R. Harvey, Pl. Perc., 20. Such a quoile about pro and con, such vrging of Ergoes.
a. 1625. Fletcher, Nice Valour, III. ii. Now for the Con.
1654. R. Whitlock, Ζωοτομια, 231. Whole Tomes of Pro’s and Con’s.
1872. Minto, Eng. Lit., II. ix. 572. He then proceeds to state the pros and cons.
