canny
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Contents |
[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
Northern English dialect from can (“to know”), from Middle English can, first and third person singular of cunnen, connen (“to be able, know how to”), from Old English cunnan (“to know how to, be able to”). Compare Scots canny, Old English cann (“knowledge, assertion”). More at can, cunning.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Adjective
canny (comparative cannier, superlative canniest)
- Careful, prudent, cautious.
- Knowing, shrewd, astute.
- Frugal, thrifty.
- (Northumbrian) Pleasant, fair.
- She's a canny lass hor like!
- (Northumbrian) Very or much.
- That's a canny big horse man!
[edit] Translations
careful, prudent, cautious
|
frugal, thrifty — see frugal
pleasant, nice — see pleasant
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] References
- The New Geordie Dictionary, Frank Graham, 1987, ISBN 0946928118
- Newcastle 1970s, Scott Dobson and Dick Irwin, [1]
- Northumberland Words, English Dialect Society, R. Oliver Heslop, 1893-4[2]
- Todd's Geordie Words and Phrases, George Todd, Newcastle, 1977[3]
[edit] Anagrams
[edit] Scots
[edit] Etymology
From the verb can (“to know”), from Middle English can, first and third person singular of cunnen, connen (“to be able, know how to”), from Old English cunnan (“to know how to, be able to”). More at can, cunning.
[edit] Pronunciation
[edit] Alternative forms
[edit] Adjective
canny (comparative mair canny, superlative maist canny)
- careful, cautious, prudent or steady
- comfortable, gentle or cozy
- attractive or pleasing
- skilful, safe to work or deal with
- fortunate, lucky
- frugal, sparing
- (archaic) with supernatural or occult powers
[edit] Adverb
canny (comparative mair canny, superlative maist canny)
