Arundinaria macrosperma (gcide) | Cane \Cane\ (k[=a]n), n. [OE. cane, canne, OF. cane, F. canne,
L. canna, fr. Gr. ka`nna, ka`nnh; prob. of Semitic origin;
cf. Heb. q[=a]neh reed. Cf. Canister, canon, 1st
Cannon.]
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1. (Bot.)
(a) A name given to several peculiar palms, species of
Calamus and D[ae]manorops, having very long,
smooth flexible stems, commonly called rattans.
(b) Any plant with long, hard, elastic stems, as reeds and
bamboos of many kinds; also, the sugar cane.
(c) Stems of other plants are sometimes called canes; as,
the canes of a raspberry.
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Like light canes, that first rise big and brave.
--B. Jonson.
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Note: In the Southern United States great cane is the
Arundinaria macrosperma, and small cane is.
Arundinaria tecta.
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2. A walking stick; a staff; -- so called because originally
made of one of the species of cane.
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Stir the fire with your master's cane. --Swift.
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3. A lance or dart made of cane. [R.]
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Judgelike thou sitt'st, to praise or to arraign
The flying skirmish of the darted cane. --Dryden.
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4. A local European measure of length. See Canna.
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Cane borer (Zool.), A beetle (Oberea bimaculata) which,
in the larval state, bores into pith and destroy the canes
or stalks of the raspberry, blackberry, etc.
Cane mill, a mill for grinding sugar canes, for the
manufacture of sugar.
Cane trash, the crushed stalks and other refuse of sugar
cane, used for fuel, etc.
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