cant

1 of 7

noun (1)

1
: the expression or repetition of conventional or trite opinions or sentiments
especially : the insincere use of pious words
the cant of hypocrites
2
: a set or stock phrase
3
a
: the private language of the underworld
the cant of thieves
c
obsolete : the phraseology peculiar to a religious class or sect
4
: affected singsong or whining speech
a beggar's cant

cant

2 of 7

verb (1)

canted; canting; cants

intransitive verb

1
: to talk hypocritically
canted about brotherly love
2
: to speak in cant or jargon
The thieves were canting among themselves.
3
: to talk or beg in a whining or singsong manner
bade me cant and whine in another placeSamuel Johnson

cant

3 of 7

verb (2)

canted; canting; cants

intransitive verb

1
: to pitch to one side : lean
The deck of the ship was canting.
2
: slope
The roof canted gently.

transitive verb

1
: to set at an angle : tilt
cant a cask
2
: to give a cant or oblique edge to : bevel
cant off a corner
3
chiefly British : to throw with a lurch

cant

4 of 7

noun (2)

1
a
: an oblique or slanting surface
the cant of a riverbank
b
: inclination, slope
the cant of a gun barrel
2
: an external angle (as of a building)
3
: a log with one or more squared sides
4
obsolete : corner, niche

cant

5 of 7

adjective (1)

1
: having canted corners or sides
a cant molding
2
: inclined sense 2
a cant buttress

cant

6 of 7

adjective (2)

dialectal, England

Cant

7 of 7

abbreviation

Examples of cant in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Verb
The top deck solar array is canted up 30 degrees to catch the low Sun angle near the south pole of the Moon. Eric Berger, Ars Technica, 3 Oct. 2023 The boot excels when bombing groomers and making quick turns in the trees thanks to a canting system built from racing experience that minimizes interaction between the cuff and shell. Douglas Schnitzspahn, Travel + Leisure, 21 Dec. 2023 Her turned face on the pillow, canted slightly up, didn’t look at the camera. Kathleen Alcott, Harper's Magazine, 8 Apr. 2022 With the front wheels canted like the head of a curious dog, the Mach 1 enjoys precise turn-in and averages a 1.13-g ride through Turn 1. Carlos Lago, Car and Driver, 1 Aug. 2023 The spring can be tightened or loosened to throw targets from 30 to 95 yards and the trap can be tilted up and down and canted for a wide variety of presentations. Phil Bourjaily, Field & Stream, 24 May 2023 Interior styling is similar to the Tonale's too, with the primary controls and infotainment system slightly canted toward the driver and a tall shift lever for the automatic transmission positioned on the center console. Drew Dorian, Car and Driver, 23 Mar. 2023 Combined with knowledge of the orientation of the spacecraft, this allows for a fantastically detailed description of the impact: The spacecraft approached the asteroid with its solar arrays canted slightly toward the surface. John Timmer, Ars Technica, 1 Mar. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'cant.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Verb (1)

perhaps from Middle French dialect (Norman-Picard) canter to tell, literally, to sing, from Latin cantare — more at chant

Noun (2) and Verb (2)

Middle English cant side, probably from Middle Dutch or Middle French dialect; Middle Dutch, edge, corner, from Middle French dialect (Picard), from Latin canthus, cantus iron tire, perhaps of Celtic origin; akin to Welsh cant rim; perhaps akin to Greek kanthos corner of the eye

Adjective (2)

Middle English, probably from Middle Low German *kant

First Known Use

Noun (1)

1640, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Verb (1)

1567, in the meaning defined at sense 3

Verb (2)

circa 1543, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 2

Noun (2)

1603, in the meaning defined at sense 4

Adjective (1)

1663, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cant was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near cant

Cite this Entry

“Cant.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cant. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

cant

1 of 3 noun
1
: a slanting surface
2

cant

2 of 3 verb
: to give a slant to

cant

3 of 3 noun
1
2
: insincere speech
Etymology

Noun

Middle English cant "corner," from early Dutch cant or early French cant, both meaning "edge, corner," from Latin canthus, cantus "iron rim on a wheel," perhaps of Celtic origin

Noun

probably derived from an early French dialect word canter "to tell," from Latin cantare "to sing," from canere "to sing" — related to cantata, chant, chantey

Medical Definition

cant

noun
: an oblique or slanting surface

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