cane
/kʰeɪn/ · can·e
noun
- A plant with simple stems, like bamboo or sugar cane, or the stem thereof The farmer harvested the cane to make sugar.
- The stem of such a plant adapted for use as a tool The cane was used as a walking stick by the elderly woman.
- A rod-shaped tool or device, somewhat like a cane The painter used a long cane to reach the high shelf.
verb
- To strike or beat with a cane or similar implement The teacher caned the misbehaving student.
- To destroy; to comprehensively defeat Mudchester Rovers were caned 10-0.
- To do something well, in a competent fashion She caned the difficult exam with ease.
Did you know? The word 'cane' has a long history of being used as a tool for discipline, particularly in schools. In the past, caning was a common punishment for misbehavior, but it has largely been phased out in modern times.