can not

Definitions

1. 1

   Alternative form of cannot.

   • One ſayth this and a nother that / but can not agre. Nether can any of them make ſo ſtronge a reaſon vvhich a nother can not improve.
   • A husband can not, without authority from his wife, plat her land, and the fact that the land which he assumes to plat was omitted by mistake from a previous plat made and acknowledged by her can make no difference.
2. 2

   Used other than figuratively or idiomatically

   Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see can, not.

   • This “IV negation”, with emphatic stress, shows up in sentences like You can nót go to the party (“You have the option of not going to the party”) and You can’t nót go to the party (“You have no choice but to go to the party”).
   • You can 'not obey the order, can’t you?
   • ‘You’re mad,’ said Squidge. ‘You can’t not go because of me. Forget it.’ ‘I can not go and I’m not going. I’ll stay here and look after you.[…]’

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