Cannot shorten pretence (4)

I believe the answer is:

cant

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'cannot' is the definition.
Both the answer and definition are verbs in their base form.
Perhaps you can see an association between them that I can't see?

I can't explain the remainder of the clue.

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(Other definitions for cant that I've seen before include "'Language of a group, Travellers say (4)'" , "Stock phrases made nonsensical by endless repetition" , "Pious claptrap" , "Negative-sounding hypocrisy" , "Inclination" .)

I've seen this clue in The Mirror.

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