noun
cane
kayn
noun
1
The tall, jointed stem of plants like bamboo or sugar cane.
"Workers cut the cane by hand before the harvest."
2
A walking stick used for support while walking.
"After the surgery, he needed a cane to get around."
"Her grandfather's cane had a carved wooden handle."
3
A rod traditionally used for corporal punishment, or the punishment itself.
"Caning was once common in British schools."
verb
1
To hit someone with a cane as punishment.
"The old headmaster was known for caning students who misbehaved."
2
Informal: to heavily defeat or criticize someone.
"The critics caned the film for its weak script."
How to Use Cane
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA stem of a tall plant, a walking stick, or (informally) to beat or thoroughly defeat.
Common pairings
walking cane
sugar cane
cane someone (punish)
Word Forms
caned past tense, canes plural, Canes plural, canes singular
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Etymology
From Old French cane, "sugar cane," from Latin canna, "reed," ultimately from an Ancient Greek word borrowed from Akkadian. Related to "channel" and "canal."