cant [1] n
1 insincere talk, esp. concerning religion or morals; pious platitudes
2 stock phrases that have become meaningless through repetition
3 specialized vocabulary of a particular group, such as thieves, journalists, or lawyers; jargon
4 singsong whining speech, as used by beggars vb
5 to speak in or use cant
(C16: probably via Norman French canter to sing, from Latin cantare; used disparagingly, from the 12th century, of chanting in religious services)
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canter n
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cantingly adv