Definitions
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- proper noun A male
given name , an alternative spelling ofCanute ( ScandinavianKnut ) in historical context.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun king of Denmark and Norway who forced Edmund II to divide England with him; on the death of Edmund II, Canute became king of all England (994-1035)
Etymologies
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Examples
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Also known as Cnut the Great, the one-time Danish king of England, Denmark and Norway is famous for putting his throne on the seashore and commanding the tide to turn back.
Radiohead fans: Thom Yorke needs you ... to form a human sculpture of King Canute Sean Michaels 2010
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After a time, Cuthbert called Cnut to him, and the two talked long and earnestly.
The Boy Knight 1867
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One story which I and many British children encountered concerned King Canute (also known as Cnut).
Brits at their Best 2009
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Many thanks to @sarahxgilbert on Twitter for pointing out a mistake regarding King Cnut - an earlier draft called him 'ignorant', but actually the whole point of his actions were to demonstrate the folly of imagining kings could control nature.
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Like Cnut the Great attempting to command the tide, politicians who try to stop social media risk looking impotent.
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We are given the big moments of royal history, from Harold taking a Norman arrow in the eye, to Cnut showing sycophantic courtiers the limits of his earthly power by the seaside, to Charles I's magnificent poise at his execution, and Edward VIII's sorry if romantic abdication.
Crown & Country by David Starkey - review Charles Spencer 2010
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A Downing Street spokesman denied reports that Mr Brown has taken to wearing a crown and is now demanding to be known as 'King Cnut, Ruler of the Waves'.
Archive 2009-02-01 Dungeekin 2009
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A Downing Street spokesman denied reports that Mr Brown has taken to wearing a crown and is now demanding to be known as 'King Cnut, Ruler of the Waves'.
Government to Legislate for Snow Losses Dungeekin 2009
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More knot wheel and mist over me, and I remember their namesake Cnut, or Canute.
A Year on the Wing TIM DEE 2009
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V. Letters a. Letter of Cnut to the English People (1019-1020) b.
Archive 2007-04-01 Mary Kate Hurley 2007
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