cane

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   A plant with simple stems, like bamboo or sugar cane, or the stem thereof

   A plant with simple stems, like bamboo or sugar cane, or the stem thereof:

2. 2

   The stem of such a plant adapted for use as a tool

   The stem of such a plant adapted for use as a tool:

   • He stalked behind her simple narrative, a kill-joy parent, hasty, intolerant, keeping a special cane to enforce the authority of his sadistic God[.]
3. 3

   A rod-shaped tool or device, resembling the stem of the plant

   A rod-shaped tool or device, resembling the stem of the plant:

   • After breaking his leg, he needed a cane to walk.
   • The cane was undoubtedly of foreign make, for it had a solid silver ferrule at one end, which was not English hall–marked.
   • Men that I knew around Wapatomac didn't wear high, shiny plug hats, nor yeller spring overcoats, nor carry canes with ivory heads as big as a catboat's anchor, as you might say.
4. ›+ 10 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Split rattan, as used in wickerwork and basketry.

      • The bed was the most extravagant piece. Its graceful cane halftester rose high towards the cornice and was so festooned in carved white wood that the effect was positively insecure, as if the great couch were trimmed with icing sugar.
   2. 5

      A local European measure of length

      A local European measure of length; the canna.

   3. 6

      To strike or beat with a cane or similar implement.

   4. 7

      To make or furnish with cane or rattan.

      • to cane chairs
      • In colonial days, threesquare was used to cane chair seats.
   5. 8

      To destroy

      To destroy; to comprehensively defeat.

      • Mudchester Rovers were caned 10-0.
   6. 9

      To do something well, in a competent fashion.

   7. 10

      To go very fast.

   8. 11

      To produce extreme pain.

      • Don’t hit me with that. It really canes!
      • Mate, my legs cane!
   9. 12

      Abbreviation of Canadian English.

      • Finally, section (2.5) reviews diachronic language studies on CanE, which is the area of focus in the present study.
      • The present study focusses on the 'other' North American variety of English, Canadian English (CanE) from a diachronic perspective.
   10. 13

       A surname.

The neighborhood