/kæn; kæn/
n =>illus 见插图.
1 [C] (often in compounds 常用以构成复合词) metal or plastic container for holding or carrying liquids 装运液体用的金属或塑料的容器
*an `oilcan
* a `petrol can/a can of `petrol
* a `watering-can.
2 [C]
(a) (also esp Brit tin) sealed tin in which food or drink is preserved and sold 罐头
*a `beer can 罐装啤酒
* [attrib 作定语] a can opener 开罐器.
(b) contents of or amount contained in a can 罐头里容纳的东西或容纳的量
*a can of peaches 一罐桃
* He drank four cans of beer. 他喝了四罐啤酒.
3 the can [sing] (US sl 俚)
(a) prison 监狱; 牢房.
(b) lavatory 厕所.
4 (idm 习语) a can of `worms (infml 口) complicated problem 复杂的问题. carry the can => carry. (be) in the `can (of a film, video-tape, etc) recorded and edited; completed and ready for use （指影片、录像带等）摄制及剪接完毕的, 完成以备用的.

v (-nn-) [Tn] preserve (food) by putting it in a sealed can 将（食物）装入密封罐中保存
*canned `fruit 罐装水果
* a `canning factory 罐头食品制造厂.

/kən; kən; strong form 强读式 kæn; kæn/
modal v (neg 否定式 cannot/ 5knCt; `kAnBt/, contracted form 缩约式 can't/ kB:nt; ?@ knt; kAnt/; pt could/ kEd; kEd; strong form 强读式 kUd; kJd/, neg 否定式 could not, contracted form 缩约式 couldn't/ 5kUdnt; `kJdnt/)
1 (a) (indicating ability 表示能力)
*I can run fast. 我能跑得很快.
* Can you call back tomorrow? 你明天能回个电话吗?
* He couldn't answer the question. 他不能回答那个问题.
* The stadium can be emptied in four minutes. 这个运动场能用四分钟时间清场.
(b) (indicating acquired knowledge or skill 表示获得的知识或技能)
*They can speak French. 他们会说法语.
* Can he cook? 他会做饭吗?
* I could drive a car before I left school. 我中学毕业前就会开车了.
(c) (used with verbs of perception 与感官动词连用)
*I can hear music. 我听见有音乐声.
* I thought I could smell something burning. 我好像闻到什么东西烧着了.
* He could still taste the garlic they'd had for lunch. 他嘴里还有他们午饭时吃的蒜的味道.
2 (indicating permission 表示许可)
*Can I read your newspaper? 我能看看你的报纸吗?
* Can I take you home? 我送你回家行吗?
* You can take the car, if you want. 你要用那辆汽车就尽管用.
* We can't wear jeans at work. 我们上班时不准穿牛仔裤.
* The boys could play football but the girls had to go to the library. 男孩儿可以踢足球而女孩儿只好到图书馆去.=>Usage
1 at may1 见may1所附用法第1项.
3 (indicatingrequests 表示要求)
*Can you help me with this box? 你能帮我弄这个箱子吗?
* Can you feed the cat? 你喂喂猫好吗?
4 (a) (indicating possibility 表示可能性)
*That can't be Mary she's in hospital. 那不可能是玛丽--她住院了.
* He can't have slept through all that noise. 那么吵他不可能睡得着觉.
* There's someone outside who can it be? 外面有人--会是谁呢? =>Usage
2 at may1 见may1所附用法第2项.
(b) (used to express bewilderment or incredulity 用以表示疑惑或怀疑)
*What `can they be doing? 他们在干些什么呢?
* Can he be serious? 他当真是这个意思吗?
* Where `can she have put it? 她能把它放在哪儿呢?
5 (used to describe typical behaviour or state 用以描述特有的行为或情形)
*He can be very tactless sometimes. 他有时很不讲方式方法.
* She can be very forgetful. 她这个人很健忘.
* Scotland can be very cold. 苏格兰要是冷起来还真够冷的.
* It can be quite windy on the hills. 山上的风就是那么大.
6 (used to make suggestions 用以提出建议)
*We can eat in a restaurant, if you like. 你愿意的话, 咱们可以在饭馆吃饭.
* I can take the car if necessary. 必要时我可以开车去. =>Usage
3 at shall 见shall所附用法第3项.

For the brother of Saint Fursey, see Ultan.