Can"ton (?), n.
A song or canto
[Obs.]
Write loyal cantons of contemned love.
Shak.
© Webster 1913.
Can"ton, n. [F. canton, augm. of OF. cant edge, corner. See 1st Cant.]
1.
A small portion; a division; a compartment.
That little canton of land called the "English pale"
Davies.
There is another piece of Holbein's, . . . in which, in six several cantons, the several parts of our Savior's passion are represented.
Bp. Burnet.
2.
A small community or clan.
3.
A small territorial district; esp. one of the twenty-two independent states which form the Swiss federal republic; in France, a subdivision of an arrondissement. See Arrondissement.
4. Her.
A division of a shield occupying one third part of the chief, usually on the dexter side, formed by a perpendicular line from the top of the shield, meeting a horizontal line from the side.
The king gave us the arms of England to be borne in a canton in our arms.
Evelyn.
© Webster 1913.
Can"ton, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Cantoned ; p. pr. & vb. n. Cantoning.] [Cf. F.cantonner.]
1.
To divide into small parts or districts; to mark off or separate, as a distinct portion or division.
They canton out themselves a little Goshen in the intellectual world.
Locke.
2. Mil.
To allot separate quarters to, as to different parts or divisions of an army or body of troops.
© Webster 1913.