Simple English definitions for legal terms
Read a random definition: interstate law
Term: CAN
Definition: Can means being able to do something or having permission to do something. For example, if you can lift 500 pounds, it means you have the ability to lift that much weight. If a court says you can't file an appeal until you pay a fee, it means you don't have permission to file until you pay the fee.
Definition: Can is a verb that means:
The word "can" is often used to express ability or permission in everyday conversations.
The first example illustrates the ability meaning of "can" by showing that the speaker has the skill to run a mile in under 10 minutes. The second example illustrates the permission meaning of "can" by asking for permission to borrow a pen. The third example also illustrates the permission meaning of "can" by stating that smoking is not allowed in a certain area.