can't

can't

contraction of cannot

Not to be confused with:

cant – insincere; the private language of the underworld; phraseology peculiar to a particular class or profession: the cant of the fashion industry; whining or singsong speech, esp. of beggars; hypocrisy, sham, pretense, humbug

recant – withdraw or disavow; revoke, rescind, deny: He recanted his confession.

Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree

can't

 (kănt)

Contraction of cannot.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

can't

(kɑːnt)

contraction of

cannot

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

cant¹

(kænt)

n.

1. insincere or hypocritical statements, esp. pious platitudes.

2. the private language of the underworld.

3. the words and phrases peculiar to a particular class, profession, etc.

4. whining or singsong speech.

v.i.

5. to talk piously or hypocritically.

6. to beg in a whining or singsong tone.

[1495–1505; < Latin base cant- in cantus song, canticus singsong, etc.; see chant]

cant²

(kænt)

n.

1. a salient angle.

2. a sudden movement that tilts or overturns a thing.

3. a slanting or tilted position.

4. an oblique line or surface, as one formed by cutting off the corner of a square or cube.

5. bank ¹ (def. 5).

6. a sudden pitch or toss.

7. Also called flitch. a partly trimmed log.

adj.

8. oblique or slanting.

v.t.

9. to bevel; form an oblique surface upon.

10. to put in an oblique position; tilt; tip.

11. to throw with a sudden jerk.

v.i.

12. to take or have an inclined position; tilt; turn.

[1325–75; Middle English: side, border < Anglo-French cant, Old French chant]

cant′ic, adj.

can't

(kænt, kɑnt)

contraction of cannot.

usage: See can¹, cannot.

Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.