Emily Dickinson Lexicon

CAN'CEL, v.t. [Fr. canceller; Port. cancellar; L. cancello, to deface, properly to make cross bars or lattice-work; hence to make cross lines on writing, from cancelli, cross bars or lattice-work; Gr. κιγκλις; Syr. and Ch. קנקל kankel, id.]

1. To cross the lines of a writing, and deface them; to blot out or obliterate.
2. To annul, or destroy; as, to cancel an obligation or a debt.