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Added 9 October 2026

cane

/keɪn/ noun

In Latin: canna Wiktionary

noun Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about cane at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

A plant with simple stems, like bamboo or sugar cane, or the stem thereof: The slender, flexible main stem of a plant such as bamboo, including many species in the grass family Gramineae.
The slender, flexible main stem of a plant such as bamboo, including many species in the grass family Gramineae.
The plant itself, including many species in the grass family Gramineae; a reed.

verb

To strike or beat with a cane or similar implement.
To make or furnish with cane or rattan.
to cane chairs
To destroy; to comprehensively defeat.
Mudchester Rovers were caned 10-0.

Origin

From Middle English cane, canne, from Old French cane (“sugar cane”), from Latin canna (“reed”), from Ancient Greek κάννα (kánna), from Akkadian 𒄀 (qanû, “reed”). Doublet of canna and kaneh. Related to channel and canal.

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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