Căn'ny or Căn'nie, a.

a. [Icel. kænn, skilled, learned; kenna, to know. See KEN.] Having many pleasing or useful qualities; blameless; good; gentle; neat; pretty. [Scot.]

The meaning of the word canny varies in different places. In Yorkshire it means sly and knowing with an assumed simplicity of manner; but in Northumberland it means goodness itself, approaching to perfection. S. Smiles. The word canny is constantly used in England as a Scotch word, appropriate to a low prudence or roguish sagacity, which southern people are pleased to attribute to their northern kinsfolk. The word, in reality, means gentle, innocent, propitious, and has no connection whatever with either cunning or prudence. Chambers' Journal.