cancels
|can-cel|
/ˈkænsəl/
(cancel)
annul or call off
Etymology
'cancel' originates from Latin, specifically the Late Latin word 'cancellare', where 'cancelli' meant 'lattice' or 'barred structure' and the verb meant 'to make like a lattice' (i.e., to cross out).
'cancel' changed from Late Latin 'cancellare' into Old French (e.g. 'cancelier'/'canceler') and then entered Middle English as 'cancel' and eventually became the modern English word 'cancel'.
Initially, it meant 'to mark with bars or lattice (to cross out)', but over time it evolved into its current meanings of 'make invalid', 'call off', or 'neutralize'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
plural of 'cancel' used as a noun in specialized contexts (e.g., postal cancels = postmarks) — 'cancels' referring to marks or actions that cancel.
The philatelist displayed rare cancels from the 19th century.
Synonyms
Verb 1
3rd person singular present of 'cancel': to decide that an event or arrangement will not take place; to call off.
She cancels the meeting at the last minute when key people can't attend.
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Verb 2
3rd person singular present of 'cancel': to make a legal or official agreement, order, or decision no longer valid; to revoke or annul.
The board cancels the policy after reviewing the new evidence.
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Verb 3
3rd person singular present of 'cancel': to remove, delete, or stop something from happening (e.g., an order, subscription, reservation).
He cancels his subscription when he moves abroad.
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Verb 4
3rd person singular present of 'cancel': to neutralize or offset an effect so that the net result is zero (often used with 'out' as in 'cancel out').
Higher taxes cancels the benefit of the wage increase for many workers.
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Last updated: 2025/12/03 07:50