v. & n.
v. (cancelled, cancelling; US canceled, canceling) 1 tr. a withdraw or revoke (a previous arrangement). b discontinue (an arrangement in progress). 2 tr. obliterate or delete (writing etc.). 3 tr. mark or pierce (a ticket, stamp, etc.) to invalidate it. 4 tr. annul; make void; abolish. 5 (often foll. by out) a tr. (of one factor or circumstance) neutralize or counterbalance (another). b intr. (of two factors or circumstances) neutralize each other. 6 tr. Math. strike out (an equal factor) on each side of an equation or from the numerator and denominator of a fraction.
n. 1 a countermand. 2 the cancellation of a postage stamp. 3 Printing a new page or section inserted in a book to replace the original text, usu. to correct an error. 4 Mus. US a natural-sign. canceller n.
[ ME f. F canceller f. L cancellare f. cancelli crossbars, lattice ]