can

can

can¹ [kan; , kən]

v.aux.

pt.could [ME < OE, 1st & 3d pers. sing., pres. indic., of cunnan, know, have power to, be able; common Gmc < IE base * gen-, *gno- > L gnoscere, KNOW; orig. meaning “to be able mentally or spiritually,” as distinguished from may, “to be able physically”]

1. know(s) how to

2. am, are, or is able to

3. am, are, or is likely or at all likely to [can that be true?]

4. have or has the moral or legal right to

5. Informal am, are, or is permitted to; may: As a modal auxiliary, can is followed by an infinitive without to

vi.

1. know(s) how

2. am, are, or is able [yes I can]

3. am, are, or is likely or at all likely

4. have or has the moral or legal right

5. Informal am, are, or is permitted; may

vt.

Obs. know(s)

know(s)

——————

can but

can only

USAGE- traditional grammar makes a clear distinction between CAN¹ (for ability) and MAY¹ (for permission), the classic example being the retort, “Yes, you can go, but you may not”; in everyday speech and writing, however, CAN¹ is generally accepted for both meanings, with MAY¹ being used only when the notion of permission is important to the sense of an utterance and there is a possibility of ambiguity

can² [kan]

n.

[ME & OE canne, a cup, container < Gmc * kanna (> LL canna, a vessel); prob. < IE base * gan(dh), container > MIr gann, ON kani]

1. a container of various kinds, usually made of metal with a separate cover [a milk can, a garbage can, a can of shoe polish ]

☆ 2. a container made of tinned iron or other metal, in which foods or other perishable products are sealed for preservation

☆ 3. the amount that a can holds

☆ 4. Slang

a) a prison

b) the buttocks

c) a toilet

d) short for TIN CAN (sense 2)

vt.

canned, canning

☆ 1. to put up in airtight cans or jars for preservation

2. Slang

a) to dismiss; discharge

b) to put an end to; stop

——————

in the can

recorded, filmed, taped, etc. but not yet released for sale, exhibition, broadcast, viewing, etc.