canakin

English

Alternative forms

• canikin, cannakin, cannikin, kannakin

Etymology

Diminutive of can with -kin.

Noun

canakin (plural canakins)

1. (archaic) A little can or cup.
   • 1604, William Shakespeare, Othello, act 2, sc. 3:

     And let me the canakin clink, clink;

     And let me the canakin clink

     A soldier's a man;

     A life's but a span;

     Why, then, let a soldier drink.

     Some wine, boys!

   • 1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick, ch. 84:

     Then, Tashtego, lad, I'd have ye hold a canakin to the jet, and we'd drink round it!

References

• canakin in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, G. & C. Merriam, 1913