can

I

[[t]kæn[/t]] unstressed [[t]kən[/t]]

1) fun to be able to; have the ability, power, or skill to:

She can solve the problem easily[/ex]

2) fun to know how to:

I can play chess, but not very well[/ex]

3) fun to have the power or means to:

a dictator who can impose his will on the people[/ex]

4) fun to have the right or qualifications to:

He can change whatever he wishes in the script[/ex]

5) fun may; have permission to:

Can I speak to you for a moment?[/ex]

6) fun to have the possibility:

A coin can land on either side[/ex]

7) fun Obs. to know

•

- can but

Etymology: bef. 900; ME, OE, pres. indic. sing. 1st, 3rd person of cunnan to know, know how usage: can and may are often interchangeable in the sense of possibility: A power failure can (or may) occur at any time. Despite the traditional insistence that only may conveys permission, both words are regularly used in this sense: Can (or May) I borrow your tape recorder? can occurs this way chiefly in spoken English; may occurs more frequently in formal speech and writing. In negative constructions, can't or cannot is more common than may not; the contraction mayn't is rare: You can't park in the driveway. can but and cannot but are somewhat formal expressions suggesting that there is no alternative to doing something. See also cannot help II

can

[[t]kæn[/t]] n. v. canned, can•ning

1) a sealed container for food, beverages, etc., as of aluminum, sheet iron coated with tin, or other metal

2) a receptacle for garbage, ashes, etc

3) a bucket or other container for holding or carrying liquids

4) mot sbz a metal or plastic container for holding film on cores or reels

5) sts Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. toilet; bathroom

6) sts Slang. jail

7) sts Slang: Sometimes Vulgar. buttocks

8) mil Mil. Slang.

a) a depth charge

b) a destroyer

9) to preserve by sealing in a can, jar, etc

10) sts Slang. to dismiss; fire

11) sts Slang. to put a stop to:

Can that noise![/ex]

12) cvb sbz to record, as on film or tape

•

- in the can

Etymology: bef. 1000; ME, OE canne, c. OHG channa, ON kanna