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cannot but. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word
cannot but, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say
cannot but in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word
cannot but you have here. The definition of the word
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English
Alternative forms
Verb
cannot but (third-person singular simple present cannot but, no present participle, simple past could not but, no past participle)
- To have to; to cannot help; to be unable to do otherwise than.
1789, Benjamin Franklin, “Letter to Noah Webster, December 26, 1789”, in E. Sargent, editor, The select works of Benjamin Franklin, published 1855, page 498:I cannot but applaud your zeal for preserving the purity of our language, both in its expressions and pronunciation, and in correcting the popular errors several of our States are continually falling into with respect to both.
Translations
References
- Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary
- Concise E-C Dictionary