cancel English · revision 6999

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=1399|origins=la cancelli}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈkænts(ə)l/, /ˈkæns(ə)l/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English cancellen, from Anglo-French canceler, [[bor|fro|canceller|t=to cross out]], or directly [[bor|la|cancello|alt=cancellāre|t=to make like a lattice; to cross out writing]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) from [[m|la|cancelli|t=crossbars, grating]], a diminutive of cancer, lattice,^(Barnhart 1988)^(MWU 2024) the shape of the crossed lines.^(Cresswell 2021) [[chancellor|alt=Chancellor]] and [[chancel]] are from the same source.^(Cresswell 2021)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To cross out writing with lines: 1399, in the Rolls of Parliament;^(Barnhart 1988) the late 14th century in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ In legal contexts, crossing out made a document void, and the figurative ''to nullify an obligation'' is from the mid-15th century.^(Cresswell 2021)^(Etymonline) To call off a planned event, and in mathematics to strike out equal quantities, came later.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023) In printing a ''cancel'' is a leaf substituted for a cancelled one (1806),^(OED 1989) and in music a natural sign (1912).^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1399 – to cross out.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * mid-15th century – to annul.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1806 – a cancel-leaf (noun).^(OED 1989)

+ * 1912 – a natural sign.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To decide that a planned event will not take place; to call off.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To annul or end an agreement, order or obligation.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To cross out; to mark a stamp or ticket so it cannot be reused.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(cancel out)'' To balance out; to [[neutralize]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(mathematics)'' To remove a common factor or term.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(printing)'' A leaf printed to replace one that has been removed.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[cancelable]]

+ * [[canceler]]

+ * [[precancel]]

+ * [[recancel]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[chancel]]

+ * [[cancellation]]

+ * [[chancellery]]

+ * [[chancellor]]

+ * [[chancery]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}