shan't

Hello, you have come here looking for the meaning of the word shan't. In DICTIOUS you will not only get to know all the dictionary meanings for the word shan't, but we will also tell you about its etymology, its characteristics and you will know how to say shan't in singular and plural. Everything you need to know about the word shan't you have here. The definition of the word shan't will help you to be more precise and correct when speaking or writing your texts. Knowing the definition ofshan't, as well as those of other words, enriches your vocabulary and provides you with more and better linguistic resources.
See also: shant and sha'n't

English

English Wikipedia has an article on:
Wikipedia

Etymology

From shall +‎ -n't; contraction of shalln't or shall not, historically via shannot.

Pronunciation

Verb

shan't

  1. (UK, Ireland, colloquial; archaic in US, Canada; dated in Australia, New Zealand) Contraction of shall not (negative auxiliary[1]).
    I shan't be coming back after the way you've treated me today.
    • 1922, Rex [Ellingwood] Beach, “chapter XXIV”, in Flowing Gold, New York, N.Y.: Grosset & Dunlap Publishers, by arrangement with Harper & Brothers, →OCLC, page 290:
      That's not a threat, sir, for they have played fair with me, and I sha'n't sacrifice a penny of their money—unless they force me to do so. But—I'm in control. I'm sitting pretty. They can't unseat me, and I warn them not to try.

Usage notes

Still used in colloquial British English and Irish English. In North America, Australia and New Zealand it is rarely used, and may not be understood. In North America, like shall, it may also be considered formal or pompous, or used to parody British English and Irish English speakers.

Alternative forms

Coordinate terms

See also

References

  1. ^ Arnold M. Zwicky and Geoffrey K. Pullum, Cliticization vs. Inflection: English n’t, Language 59 (3), 1983, pp. 502-513

Anagrams

Wikious
Boobota
Sagapedia