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cant

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Cant is a whining type of speech used by beggars, thieves and gypsies.

(noun)

An example of cant is two panhandlers speaking to each other in a language that others won't understand.

The definition of cant is phony enthusiasm for goodness.

(noun)

An example of cant is the conversation of a wealthy woman who is trying to show her friends how good she is based on the many dollars she gives to charity.

A cant is defined as an external angle in a building.

(noun)

An example of a cant is the corner of the brick library.

See cant in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

whining, singsong speech, esp. as used by beggars
the secret slang of beggars, thieves, etc.; argot
the special words and phrases used by those in a certain sect, occupation, etc.; jargon
insincere or almost meaningless talk used merely from convention or habit
religious phraseology used hypocritically; insincere, pious talk

Origin: < L cantus: see chant

intransitive verb

to use cant; speak in cant

Origin: < cantthe

adjective

of, or having the nature of, cant

Related Forms:

canter noun

noun

a corner or outside angle, as of a building
a sloping or slanting surface; beveled edge
a sudden movement, toss, or pitch that causes tilting, turning, or overturning
the tilt, turn, or slant thus caused

Origin: ME & OFr cant, corner, edge, angle < LL cantus < L, iron tire of a wheel < Celt, as in Brythonic cant, rim of a wheel, edge < IE base *kantho-, corner, bend

transitive verb

to give a sloping edge to; bevel
to tilt or overturn
to throw off or out by tilting
to throw with a jerk; pitch; toss

intransitive verb

to tilt or turn over
to slant

adjective

with canted sides or corners
slanting

adjective

Brit., Dialectal lusty; bold; hearty

Origin: ME, bold, brave; prob. < or akin to MDu kant

Canticles
Cantonese

See cant in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

Angular deviation from a vertical or horizontal plane or surface; an inclination or slope.
A slanted or oblique surface.
a. A thrust or motion that tilts something.
b. The tilt caused by such a thrust or motion.
An outer corner, as of a building.

verb cant·ed, cant·ing, cants

verb, transitive

To set at an oblique angle; tilt.
To give a slanting edge to; bevel.
To change the direction of suddenly.

verb, intransitive

To lean to one side; slant.
To take an oblique direction or course; swing around, as a ship.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English, side

Origin: , from Old North French

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *cantus, corner

Origin: , from Latin canthus, rim of wheel, tire

Origin: , of Celtic origin

noun

Monotonous talk filled with platitudes.
Hypocritically pious language.
The special vocabulary peculiar to the members of an underworld group; argot.
Cant See Shelta.
Whining speech, such as that used by beggars.
The special terminology understood among the members of a profession, discipline, or class but obscure to the general population; jargon. See Synonyms at dialect.

intransitive verb cant·ed, cant·ing, cants