cant

Meaning

Noun

1. (countable, usually) An argot, the jargon of a particular class or subgroup.
2. (countable, uncountable, usually) A private or secret language used by a religious sect, gang, or other group.
3. (uncountable, usually) A language spoken by some Irish Travellers; Shelta.
4. (derogatory, uncountable, usually) Empty, hypocritical talk.
5. (uncountable, usually) Whining speech, such as that used by beggars.
6. (countable, usually) A blazon of a coat of arms that makes a pun upon the name (or, less often, some attribute or function) of the bearer, canting arms.
7. (obsolete, uncountable, usually) A call for bidders at a public fair; an auction.

Verb

1. (intransitive) To speak with the jargon of a class or subgroup.
2. (intransitive) To speak in set phrases.
3. (intransitive) To talk, beg, or preach in a singsong or whining fashion, especially in a false or empty manner.
4. (intransitive) Of a blazon, to make a pun that references the bearer of a coat of arms.
5. (obsolete) To sell by auction, or bid at an auction.

Verb

1. (transitive) To set (something) at an angle; to tilt.
2. (transitive) To give a sudden turn or new direction to.
3. (transitive) To bevel an edge or corner.
4. (transitive) To overturn so that the contents are emptied.

Verb

To divide or parcel out.

Adj

Lively, lusty.

Synonyms

slang

argot

jargon

tilt

slope

pitch

slant

bank

🏦

chamfer

careen

bevel

list

incline

lingo

cant over

tip

lean

vernacular

buzzword

camber

secret language

verge

pious platitude

patois

patter

heel

gradient

inclination

clobber

cliche

blast

chide

cheek

bias

be after

chastise

fall

facet

embankment

berm

bawl out

downgrade

double Dutch

doorpost

call down

drub

berate

dissimulate

dissemble

dip

Translations

argot

jerga

gergo

argot

jargon

jargon

pente

Gaunersprache

argot

kippen

Jargon

Bargoens

Rotwelsch

slang

inclinazione

Pronounced as (IPA)

/kænt/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: cant

Cognate with Dutch: kant

Cognate with Latin: canthus

In summary

From Latin cantō probably via Old Northern French canter (“sing, tell”). Doublet of chant.