Meaning and usage of the word can1 in English

The word "can" as an auxiliary verb in Modern English has its origin from Old Norse "kunna" which means "to be able." This Norse word was introduced to English during the Viking invasions in the late 9th and early 10th centuries. At that time, Old Norse was spoken by the Vikings and it was also used by several communities in England. As the two cultures came into contact, the English language was significantly influenced by Old Norse, including the adoption of "kunna" into English as "can." The original meaning of "can" as an auxiliary verb in Old Norse was to convey the idea of ability or capability, and this meaning has largely remained consistent in English. However, in Middle English, the usage of "can" expanded to include modality, or the expression of possibility, certainty, or obligation, which is a common usage of "can" today. The spread of the English language and the influence of dialects have led to variations in the use of "can" over time, such as the dropping of the -n in some dialects (as in "I can't" versus "I can't" in other dialects). Regardless, the word "can," with its origins in Old Norse, has remained an essential part of the English language for over a thousand years.