canny的词源

英文词源

canny

canny: see can

canny (adj.)

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.

中文词源

canny：精明的

发音释义：['kænɪ] adj.精明的；狡猾的；仔细的；谨慎的

结构分析：canny = can（能够、知道如何去做）+y（形容词后缀）→精明的

该词的英语词源请访问趣词词源英文版：canny 词源，canny 含义。

canny：精明的

来自can, 知道，词源同cunning, uncanny。