'great cane' definitions:

Definition of 'great cane'

From: 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.] [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]
  • Like light canes, that first rise big and brave. --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: In the Southern United States great cane is the Arundinaria macrosperma, and small cane is. Arundinaria tecta. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A walking stick; a staff; -- so called because originally made of one of the species of cane. [1913 Webster]
  • Stir the fire with your master's cane. --Swift. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A lance or dart made of cane. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • Judgelike thou sitt'st, to praise or to arraign The flying skirmish of the darted cane. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. A local European measure of length. See Canna. [1913 Webster]
  • 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. [1913 Webster]