Can
Vine's Expository Dictionary of NT Words [1]
see Ability , B, No. 1.
is translated "I can do" in Philippians 4:13; see Able , B. No. 4.
"to have," is translated "could" in Mark 14:8 , lit., "she hath done what she had;" in Luke 14:14 , for the AV, "cannot," the RV has "they have not wherewith;" in Acts 4:14 , "could say nothing against" is, lit., "had nothing to say against;" in Hebrews 6:13 , "he could swear" is, lit., "He had (by none greater) to swear." See Able , Have.
"to know," is so rendered in the RV of Matthew 16:3 , "ye know how to," for AV, "ye can" (dunamai is used in the next sentence). This verb represents knowledge as the effect of experience. In Acts 21:37 , for "canst thou speak Greek?" the RV has "dost ..." See Allow , Know.
"to know by perception," is the word in Pilate's remark "make it as sure as ye can" (marg. "sure, as ye know"), Matthew 27:65 . The phrases "cannot tell," "canst not tell," etc. are in the RV rendered "know not," etc., Matthew 21:27; Mark 11:33; Luke 20:7; John 3:8; 8:14; 16:18; 2—Corinthians 12:2,3 . See Know.
meaning "it is," is translated "we cannot," in Hebrews 9:5 , lit., "it is not possible (now to speak);" so in 1—Corinthians 11:20; see margin.
"to accept, admit, allow of," is used impersonally in Luke 13:33 , "it can (not) be," i.e., it is not admissible.
King James Dictionary [2]
CAN, n. A cup or vessel for liquors, in modern times made of metal as a can of ale.
CAN, pret. could, which is from another root. See Could.
1. To be able to have sufficient strength or physical power. One man can lift a weight which another can not. A horse can run a certain distance in a given time. 2. To have means, or instruments, which supply power or ability. A man can build a house, or fit out a ship, if he has the requisite property. A nation cannot prosecute a war, without money or credit. I will lend you a thousand dollars, if I can. 3. To be possible.
Nicodemus said, How can these thing be? John 3 .
4. To have adequate moral power. A man can indulge in pleasure, or he can refrain. He can restrain his appetites, if he will. 5. To have just or legal competent power, that is, right to be free from any restraint of moral, or political obligation, or from any positive prohibition. We can use a highway for travel, for this is permitted by law. A man can or cannot hold an office. The Jews could not eat certain kinds of animals which were declared to be unclean. The House of Commons in England can impeach, but the House of Lords only can try impeachments. In general, we can do whatever neither the laws of God nor of man forbid.
How can I do this great wickedness and sin against God. Genesis 34 .
I cannot go beyond the word of the Lord, my God, to do less or more. Numbers 22.
6. To have natural strength, or capacity to be susceptible of to be able or free to undergo any change, or produce any effect, by the laws and constitution of nature, or by divine appointment. Silver can be melted, but cannot be changed into gold.
Can the rush grow without mire? Job 8 .
Can the fig tree bear olive berries? James 3 .
Can faith save him? James 2 .
7. To have competent strength, ability, fortitude, patience, &c., in a passive sense. He cannot bear reproof. I cannot endure this impertinence.
This is a hard saying who can hear it? John 6 .
8. To have the requisite knowledge, experience or skill. Young men are not admitted members of college, till they can translate Latin and Greek. An astronomer can calculate an eclipse, though he can not make a coat. 9. To have strength of inclination or motives sufficient to overcome obstacles, impediments, inconvenience or other objection.
I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. Luke 9 .
I cannot rise and give thee - yet because of him importunity, he will rise and give him. Luke 9 .
10. To have sufficient capacity as, a vessel can not hold or contain the whole quantity.
CAN, To know.
Webster's Dictionary [3]
(1): (v. t. & i.) To be able; - followed by an infinitive without to; as, I can go, but do not wish to.
(2): (v. t. & i.) To know; to understand.
(3): (v. t.) To preserve by putting in sealed cans
(4): an obs. form of began, imp. & p. p. of Begin, sometimes used in old poetry. [See Gan.]
(5): (n.) A drinking cup; a vessel for holding liquids.
(6): (n.) A vessel or case of tinned iron or of sheet metal, of various forms, but usually cylindrical; as, a can of tomatoes; an oil can; a milk can.
(7): (v. t. & i.) To be able to do; to have power or influence.
