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cain't. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
cain't, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
cain't in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
cain't you have here. The definition of the word
cain't will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition of
cain't, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
English
Etymology
A variant spelling of can't, representing the pronunciation of this word in the southern United States.
Pronunciation
Contraction
cain't
- (chiefly Southern US) Nonstandard form of can't.
- 1985, James A. Michener, Texas: A Novel. Reprinted 2014, Random House Publishing Group, →ISBN, page 460:
- “Stands to reason, the Mexican government, they cain’t persuade any real Mexican priests to travel all the way to Texas. Those hanker after the fleshpots of the big city. So the oney priests they can get to work in land s’far away are Irishmen who cain’t make no livin’ in Ireland, and who cain’t speak a word of Spanish neither, if’n you ask me.”
References
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