cancel Look up cancel at Dictionary.com
late 14c., from Anglo-Fr. canceler, from L. cancellare "to make resemble a lattice," which in L.L. took on a sense "cross out something written," from cancelli pl. of cancellus "lattice, grating," dim. of cancer "crossed bars, lattice," a var. of carcer "prison." Related: Cancelled (also canceled, 1530s).