• Sha'n't

    Pronunciation

    • RP IPA: /ʃɑːnt/

    Origin

    of shall en + -("contraction of not") + n't + .

    Full definition of sha'n't

    Contraction

      • 1697, Vanbrugh, w, Bellinda ... Nay you Å¿ha'n't go one Å¿tep out of the room.
        ... Lady Brute Pray give me leave.
        Lady Fancyfull You know I won't.
        Lady B. Indeed I muſt.
        Lady Fanc. Indeed you Å¿ha'n't.
        Lady B. Indeed I will.
        Lady Fanc. Indeed you Å¿ha'n't.
        Lady B. Indeed I will.
        Lady Fanc. Indeed you Å¿ha'n't. Indeed Indeed Indeed you Å¿ha'n't. (Exit Lady Fanc. running. They follow.
      • 1922, Rex Ellingwood Beach, Flowing Gold Chapter chapter XXIV, That's not a threat, sir, for they have played fair with me, and I sha'n't sacrifice a penny of their money—unless they force me to do so. But—I'm in control. I'm sitting pretty. They can't unseat me, and I warn them not to try.

    Further reading

    • World Wide Words|entry=Sha’n’t versus shan’t|url=qa/qa-sha3|date_created=26 May 2001

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