cant1 [kant]
¦ noun
1. hypocritical and sanctimonious talk.
2. derogatory language peculiar to a specified group: thieves' cant.
[as modifier] denoting a phrase or catchword temporarily current.
¦ verb dated talk hypocritically and sanctimoniously.
Origin
C16 (in sense 'singing', later 'whining speech', as of a beggar), hence 'jargon': prob. from L.
cantare (see
chant).
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cant2 [kant]
¦ verb be or cause to be in a slanting or oblique position; tilt.
?(of a ship) swing round.
¦ noun
1. a slope or tilt.
2. a wedge-shaped block of wood remaining after the better-quality pieces have been cut off.
Origin
ME (denoting an edge or brink): from Mid. Low Ger. kant, kante, MDu. cant, 'point, side, edge', related to med. L. cantus 'corner, side'.