Insincere, especially conventional expressions of enthusiasm for high ideals, goodness, or piety, often used to deceive or mislead. The politician's speech was full of cant, promising reforms that he had no intention of implementing.
The private language of the underworld, used by thieves, beggars, and other groups to communicate without being understood by outsiders. The detective struggled to understand the cant used by the criminals during their conversation.
A slanted or oblique surface or edge. The cant of the roof allowed rainwater to easily run off.
A characteristic language or jargon of a particular group or profession. The medical conference was filled with cant that was difficult for outsiders to follow.
A partly-squared log or block of timber prepared for further sawing. The sawyer placed the cant on the carriage for the next cut.