cancel
cancel definition
can·cel (kan′səl)
transitive verb canceled -·celed or cancelled -·celled, canceling -·cel·ing or cancelling -·cel·ling
- to cross out with lines or other marks, as in deleting written matter or marking a check as used and cleared
- to print or stamp marks on (a postage stamp) as by machine or handstamp, to prevent reuse
- to make invalid; annul
- to do away with; wipe out; abolish, withdraw, etc. to cancel an order or a ticket reservation
- to neutralize or balance in force or influence; offset: often with out
- Math. to remove (a common factor from both terms of a fraction, equivalents of opposite sign or on opposite sides of an equation, etc.)
- Printing to delete or omit
Etymology: ME cancellen < Anglo-Fr canceler < LL cancellare, to strike out, cancel < L, to make resemble a lattice < cancelli, pl. of cancellus, lattice, grating, dim. of cancer, crossed bars, lattice, dissimilated < carcer, prison
intransitive verb
to offset or cancel each other: with out
noun
- the deletion or omission of matter in type or in print
- the matter omitted or deleted
- the replacement for this
- Informal cancellation (sense )
Related Forms:
- cancelable can′·cel·able adjective
- canceler can′·celer noun or canceller can′·cel·ler
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