Synonyms for cannily
| Grammar : Adv |
| Spell : kan-ee |
| Phonetic Transcription : ˈkæn i |
Définition of cannily
Origin :- 1630s, Scottish and northern English formation from can (v.1) in its sense of "know how to," + -y (2). "Knowing," hence, "careful." A doublet of cunning that flowed into distinct senses. Often used superciliously of Scots by their southern neighbors (and their American cousins).
- The Canny Scot is so well known as scarcely to require description. He carries caution, cunning, and selfishness to excess. Deceitful when a purpose is to be accomplished, he is not habitually deceitful. One thing he never loses sight of--his own interest. But of his own interest he is not the most enlightened judge. ["The Natural History of Scotsmen," in "The Argosy," December 1865]
- Related: Cannily; canniness.
- As in selfishly : adv egotistically
- The doctor was called, and cannily solved the problem with a buttered shoe-horn.
- Extract from : « Dear Enemy » by Jean Webster
- Ive forgotten most of it, Cletus said, cannily dodging the trap.
- Extract from : « Satan and the Comrades » by Ralph Bennitt
- On one occasion only he cannily indemnified his narrative for this drawback.
- Extract from : « The Cloister and the Hearth » by Charles Reade
- To one who knows that neighbourhood the picture is cannily vivid.
- Extract from : « Shandygaff » by Christopher Morley
- "Some of 'em my people, too, Mas' John," he cannily observed.
- Extract from : « Lady Baltimore » by Owen Wister
- And he had the money—four millions and more, cannily saved from the crash that had ruined so many others.
- Extract from : « The Escape of Mr. Trimm » by Irvin S. Cobb
- When desire of news assailed her, she could easily conceal her personal resentments, cannily sacrificing small issues to great.
- Extract from : « Tiverton Tales » by Alice Brown
- McMurtrie had Scotch blood in his veins, and was cannily chary of offering unasked advice.
- Extract from : « The Helpers » by Francis Lynde
- Rhinoceroses conceal themselves most cannily, and have a deceitful habit of leaping from a nap into their swiftest stride.
- Extract from : « The Land of Footprints » by Stewart Edward White
- Cannily they remained behind him, receding, if he dared turn his head, with contemptuous ease.
- Extract from : « Wilderness of Spring » by Edgar Pangborn
Words or expressions associated with your search
- cannabis
- canned
- canned do
- canned food
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- canned laughter
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- cannoli
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- cannula
- canny
- CAT scanner
- cat scanners
- CAT scanning
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- CT scanner
- loose cannon
- optical scanning
- scanner
- scanning system
- uncanny
Most wanted synonyms
Based on : Thesaurus.com - Gutenberg.org - Dictionary.com - Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019