cannot

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   Can not; be unable to (whether due to physical inability, logical impossibility, etc).

   I cannot open the window. It is stuck.

2. 2
   verb

   Be forbidden or not permitted to

   The Pupil after his Pupillarity, had granted a Diſcharge to one of the Co-tutors, which did extinguiſh the whole Debt of that Co-tutor, and conſequently of all the reſt, they being all correi debendi, lyable by one individual Obligation, which cannot be Diſcharged as to one, and ſtand as to all the reſt.

3. 3
   noun

   Something that cannot be done.

   the cans and cannots

4. 4
   noun

   A person who cannot do (something).

Etymology

From Middle English can not, cannot, cannouȝt, etc. (compare Old English ne cann), equivalent to can + not.