a quaint, affected style of speaking, either as regards the utterance or the subject itself. The term has been said to be derived from the name of a Cameronian preacher in Scotland, Andrew Cant, who by practice had attained the faculty of preaching in such a tone and dialect as to be understood by none but his own congregation. Since his time, the word has been extended to all affected exclamations and whining unmusical tones, especially in praying and preaching. The more probable derivation of the word, however, is from the Latin cantare, to sing; in which sense cant would be synonymous with sing-song.

Cant is also applied to unusual words and phrases affected by particular persons or professions. The difference between cant and technical, as applied to terms, seems to be that the former is restricted to those introduced out of folly, affectation, or imposture; and the latter is applied to such as are introduced for the sake of clearness and precision.