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cantwoman

Cantwoman is an Irish regional term for a female auctioneer — a woman who conducts auctions by calling out bids and driving up the price with the classic rapid-fire patter that defines the trade.

ˈkænˌtwɑmən47 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
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#1·Apr 28, 2026

Cantwoman is an Irish regional term for a female auctioneer — a woman who conducts auctions by calling out bids and driving up the price with the classic rapid-fire patter that defines the trade. The 'cant' element comes from the Irish word for auction, 'ceant', making this a satisfying bit of linguistic heritage. In Ireland, going to a cant (auction) is a normal part of rural and market life, and a skilled cantwoman is someone you don't want to underestimate.

The cantwoman had the room buzzing as she rattled through lot after lot without breaking a sweat.
Origin: From Irish 'ceant' (auction) combined with the English '-woman' suffix. 'Cant' as a word for an auction sale has roots in Irish and British English usage, particularly in rural and market contexts. Editorial expansion authored on Slangora (model-assisted, hedged).
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#2·Apr 27, 2026

(Ireland) A female auctioneer.

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