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Cant: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽค
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cant

 

[ kรฆnt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

music style

Cant refers to a style of singing or a particular manner of performing music, often associated with religious or folk traditions. It is frequently characterized by its ceremonial or ritualistic qualities. Cant can also pertain to a specific type of song or chant used in liturgical settings. The word often evokes a sense of solemnity or deep emotion in performance.

Synonyms

chant, hymn, liturgy

Examples of usage

  • The choir performed a beautiful cant during the service.
  • She loves the cant of the old hymns.
  • His cant captured the audience's attention.
  • They sang a cant that echoed through the chapel.
Context #2 | Noun

hypocritical talk

Cant is also used to describe insincere, especially conventional phrases or sentiments that are generally applied in a manner intended to express a moral superiority. This meaning often relates to political or social discourse, where individuals or groups use jargon to convey virtue without substantive meaning behind their claims. It suggests a disingenuous posture, often leading to skepticism from listeners.

Synonyms

hypocrisy, insincerity, platitude

Examples of usage

  • The politician's speech was full of cant.
  • She grew tired of his cant about social justice.
  • Their discussions were rife with cant rather than real solutions.
  • He dismissed the cant as mere rhetoric.

Translations

Translations of the word "cant" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น nรฃo pode

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคจเคนเฅ€เค‚ เค•เคฐ เคธเค•เคคเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช nicht kรถnnen

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tidak bisa

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะฝะต ะผะพะถะต

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ nie moลผe

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใงใใชใ„

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท ne peut pas

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ no puede

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yapamaz

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ํ•  ์ˆ˜ ์—†๋‹ค

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ู„ุง ูŠุณุชุทูŠุน

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ nemลฏลพe

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ nemรดลพe

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไธ่ƒฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ ne more

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ getur ekki

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะฑั–ะปะต ะฐะปะผะฐะนะดั‹

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒแƒ  แƒจแƒ”แƒฃแƒซแƒšแƒ˜แƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ola bilmir

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ no puede

Etymology

The word 'cant' originates from the Middle English term 'cant', which derived from the Old French '-cant' meaning 'song', and from the Latin 'cantus', which also means 'song or chant'. This etymological lineage speaks to the term's deep roots in the singing tradition. Originally used to denote singing in religious contexts, the word evolved over time to encompass both musical and rhetorical connotations. The extended use of 'cant' in the 18th century emerged amidst growing concerns about the authenticity of moral discourse, leading to its current secondary meaning, which connotes insincerity. Today, 'cant' encompasses both reverent musical expression and the critique of superficial moralistic language.

Word Frequency Rank

At position #14,292, this word is part of sophisticated English vocabulary. It's useful for academic or professional contexts where precise language is needed.