can

from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.

• noun A usually cylindrical metal container.
• noun An airtight container, usually made of tin-coated iron, in which foods or beverages are preserved.
• noun The contents of such a container.
• noun Slang A jail or prison.
• noun Slang A toilet or restroom.
• noun Slang The buttocks.
• noun Slang A naval destroyer.
• intransitive verb To seal in an airtight container for future use; preserve.
• intransitive verb Slang To make a recording of.
• intransitive verb To end the employment of; fire. synonym: dismiss.
• intransitive verb To put an end or stop to.
• intransitive verb To solicit cash donations for a charity or other organization such as a club or amateur sports team by holding out a can or other container in a public place.
• idiom (can of corn) Something that is easily accomplished, especially a routine catch of a fly ball in baseball.
• idiom (can of worms) A complex or difficult problem.
• idiom (in the can) Completed and ready for release, as a film or scene of a film.
• auxiliary verb Used to indicate physical or mental ability.
• auxiliary verb Used to indicate possession of a specified power, right, or privilege.
• auxiliary verb Used to indicate possession of a specified capability or skill.
• auxiliary verb Used to indicate possibility or probability.
• auxiliary verb Used to indicate that which is permitted, as by conscience or feelings.
• auxiliary verb Used to indicate probability or possibility under the specified circumstances.
• auxiliary verb Usage Problem Used to request or grant permission.

from The Century Dictionary.

• To put into a can; especially, to put into sealed metal cans or glass jars, for preservation, as prepared vegetables, fruits, and meats.
• A frequent Middle English corruption of gan, began, preterit of ginnen, begin (see gin): often equivalent, with the infinitive of a principal verb, to the preterit of that verb.
• noun An abbreviation of canon;
• noun of canto;
• noun of cantoris.
• noun Knowledge; skill; ability.
• A. As an independent verb.
• To know; understand.
• To know how to do; be able to do.
• [So in early use the negative, to con unthank, to give no thanks.
• To have ability; be able. Still so used in Scotch: as, I'll no can go.
• B. As an auxiliary.
• To be able; properly, to be able physically; hence, by extension, to be able mentally, morally, or legally; possess the qualities, qualifications, or resources necessary for the attainment of any end or the accomplishment of any purpose, the specific end or purpose being indicated by the verb to which can is auxiliary.
• [Formerly used also in the infinitive.
• May: noting merely permission; as, you can have it if you wish; can I speak to you a moment?
• noun The catty or pound of Cochin China, equal to 1 pound 6 ounces avoirdupois.
• noun A chimney-pot.
• noun A vessel of small or moderate size and made of any material, but now generally of sheet-metal, such as tin, and used as a drinking-cup or to contain liquids, preserves, etc.
• noun A measure of liquids in the Shetland islands, containing about an English gallon.
• noun The revolving cylindrical holder into which the sliver falls from a carding-machine.
• noun Cup and can. See cup.

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

• an obs. form of began, imp. & p. p. of begin, sometimes used in old poetry. [See gan.]
• verb obsolete To know; to understand.
• verb obsolete To be able to do; to have power or influence.