can
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can (kan; unstressed, kən)
auxiliary verb could
- know(s) how to
- am, are, or is able to
- am, are, or is likely or at all likely to can that be true?
- have or has the moral or legal right to
- Informal am, are, or is permitted to; may
Etymology: ME < OE, 1st & 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of cunnan, know, have power to, be able; common Gmc < IE base *gen-, *gno- > L gnoscere, know; orig. meaning “to be able mentally or spiritually,” as distinguished from may, “to be able physically”
intransitive verb
- know(s) how
- am, are, or is able yes I can
- am, are, or is likely or at all likely
- have or has the moral or legal right
- Informal am, are, or is permitted; may
transitive verb
can but
can (kan)
noun
- a container of various kinds, usually made of metal with a separate cover a milk can, a garbage can, a can of shoe polish
- ☆ a container made of tinned iron or other metal, in which foods or other perishable products are sealed for preservation
- ☆ the amount that a can holds
- ☆ Slang
- a prison
- the buttocks
- a toilet
- tin can (sense )
Etymology: ME & OE canne, a cup, container < Gmc *kanna (> LL canna, a vessel); prob. < IE base *gan(dh), container > MIr gann, ON kani
in the can
Can
- Canada
- Canadian
- Canon
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Alternate definitions:
can
n.
can
v.
Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Preposition: of
- water: He half-filled a can of water and carried it into the cabin.
Converse of object
- throw: English fans stoned and threw beer cans at portuguese fans in Gelsenkirchen ( witnessed by a portuguese TV crew ).
Adjective modifier
- full: P.S I've put a full can of Kronenbourg down and can't find it.
Modifies a noun
- GP: Sexual health services can also arrange hepatitis C testing as can GPs.
Noun used with modifier
- watering: If you know it is going to rain leave your watering cans outside to catch the water.
The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.
Now, my own suspicion is that the universe is not only queerer than we suppose, but queerer than we can suppose.
Pass me the can, lad; there's an end of May.
He who can, does. He who cannot, teaches.
Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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Cite this page:
MLA Style
"can." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009
- Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
- <www.yourdictionary.com/can>
APA Style
can. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary
- Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/can

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