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canst

American  
[kanst] / kænst /

verb

Archaic.

  1. 2nd person singular present tense of can.

canst British  
/ kænst /

verb

  1. archaic when used with the pronoun thou or its relative form, a form of can 1

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Canst thou thunder with a voice like his?

From Time Magazine Archive

"Canst thou," he inquires soulfully, "spare me thy trousers, thy jacket, thy shirt, thy shoes, thy cufflinks, thy watch, every accessory thou hast on thy person?"

From Time Magazine Archive

"Canst see any sign of the knaves that leapt overboard?" said Dennis, looking around.

From With Drake on the Spanish Main by Strang, Herbert

Canst not see how light my heart has grown?

From Flemish Legends by Coster, Charles de

Canst thou now blame my Coldness to Alonzo?

From The Perjur'd Husband by Centlivre, Susanna

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.