can

English

/ˈkæn/, /ˈkæn/, /kən/, /ˈkæn/, /ˈkæːn/, [ˈkeən]

verb
Definitions
  • (auxiliary) To know how to; to be able to.
  • (modal) May; to be permitted or enabled to.
  • (modal auxiliary verb, defective) To have the potential to; be possible.
  • (auxiliary) .
  • (obsolete) To know.

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English can inherited from Old English can(n), cann inherited from Proto-Germanic *kunnaną (know, know how, recognize, be able, be familiar with) inherited from Proto-Indo-European *ǵneh₃- (know, recognize), *ǵneh₃- (know, recognize).

Origin

Proto-Indo-European

*ǵneh₃-

Gloss

know, recognize

Concept
Semantic Field

Cognition

Ontological Category

Action/Process

Kanji

知

Emoji

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms