1. insincere talk, esp concerning religion or morals; pious platitudes
2. stock phrases that have become meaningless through repetition
3. specialized vocabulary of a particular group, such as thieves, journalists, or lawyers; jargon
4. singsong whining speech, as used by beggars
cant
Note the connection with "chant" in each of the four senses listed above. One can chant (1) the pious words of a hymn or prayer, (2) repetitive phrases as in a mantra, (3) a specialized, mysterious vocabulary as in the case of magic words, or (4) words in a singing/whining tone.
Another (unconnected) meaning of "cant" is a slope, incline, slant or tilt.
Another (unconnected) meaning of "cant" is a slope, incline, slant or tilt.
- Slava
- Great Grand Panjandrum
- Posts: 8599
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:31 am
- Location: Finger Lakes, NY
Nice tie-ins there, Audiendus. Let us not forget the incantation, which would fit all the first 4. It does have its own, magical, meaning, but is part and parcel of the others.Note the connection with "chant" in each of the four senses listed above. One can chant (1) the pious words of a hymn or prayer, (2) repetitive phrases as in a mantra, (3) a specialized, mysterious vocabulary as in the case of magic words, or (4) words in a singing/whining tone.
Another (unconnected) meaning of "cant" is a slope, incline, slant or tilt.
It can also be used as an adjective meaning merry:
adjective Scot. and North England.
hearty; merry.
Origin: 1250–1300; ME < LG kant merry, bold
On that note, I wish everyone a cant Halloween.
Last edited by Slava on Mon Nov 01, 2010 11:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
Life is like playing chess with chessmen who each have thoughts and feelings and motives of their own.
It's funny how recant is to revoke, rather than to repeat.
1530s, from L. recantare "recall, revoke," from re- "back" (see re-) + cantare "to chant" (see cant (1)). A word from the Reformation. Loan-translation of Gk. palinoidein "recant," from palin "back" + oeidein "to sing."
"Time is nature's way of keeping everything from happening all at once. Lately it hasn't been working."
Anonymous
Anonymous
Return to “Good Word Suggestions”
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Ahrefs [Bot] and 2 guests