canned
UK: kænd | US: kænd
adj. preserved and sealed in a can
adj. (of music or laughter) prerecorded or artificial
vt. past tense of "can" (to preserve food in a can)
The word "canned" originates from the verb "can," meaning to preserve food in a sealed container. The root "can" traces back to Old English canne (a container), likely borrowed from Proto-Germanic kannōn. The suffix "-ed" marks it as a past participle, while the doubled "n" ensures pronunciation clarity. Over time, "canned" expanded metaphorically to describe anything artificially preserved or reproduced, such as laughter or music.
The supermarket sells canned beans and vegetables.
The audience groaned at the comedian's canned jokes.
She canned fresh peaches from her garden last summer.
The sitcom used canned laughter to punctuate weak punchlines.
Canned tuna is a convenient source of protein for quick meals.