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Cant: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽค
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cant

 

[kรฆnt ]

Definitions

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.

Interesting Facts

Etymology

  • The word 'cant' comes from the Old French word 'canter', meaning 'to sing' or 'to speak', which shows its roots in language.
  • Originally, 'cant' referred to the speech of beggars or those living on the fringes of society, often using secret language.
  • In the 18th century, 'cant' started to denote a specific jargon used by particular groups, especially in trades and professions.

Linguistics

  • 'Cant' is often used to refer to insincere, especially conventional phrases in speeches or writing.
  • There are different types of cant, including social cant used in specific communities and political cant that tries to manipulate.

Pop Culture

  • Many authors, like George Orwell, criticized cant for its lack of clarity and sincerity, emphasizing straightforward language.
  • In music and literature, cant often appears in critiques of social issues, revealing how language can create distance from reality.

Psychology

  • People often use cant in conversation to fit in or appear more knowledgeable, which can hurt genuine communication.
  • Psychologically, the use of cant can lead to misunderstandings and decrease trust in conversations.

Literature

  • Notable literary figures, like Samuel Johnson, have pointed out the dangers of cant in their works, revealing its impact on society's language.
  • In narrative, characters using cant can be portrayed as insincere, adding depth to their motivations and relationships.

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

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.