Canton

n. [ F. canton, augm. of OF. cant edge, corner. See 1st Cant. ] 1. A small portion; a division; a compartment. [ 1913 Webster ]

That little canton of land called the “English pale” Davies. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. A small community or clan. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

The king gave us the arms of England to be borne in a canton in our arms. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ]

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. [ 1913 Webster ]

They canton out themselves a little Goshen in the intellectual world. Locke. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Mil.) To allot separate quarters to, as to different parts or divisions of an army or body of troops. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. Of or pertaining to a canton or cantons; of the nature of a canton. [ 1913 Webster ]

A soft, white or colored silk fabric, of a gauzy texture and wavy appearance, used for ladies' scarfs, shawls, bonnet trimmings, etc.; -- called also Oriental crape. De Colange. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. 1. (Her.) Having a charge in each of the four corners; -- said of a cross on a shield, and also of the shield itself. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Arch.) Having the angles marked by, or decorated with, projecting moldings or small columns; as, a cantoned pier or pilaster. [ 1913 Webster ]

See Cotton flannel. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. To divide into cantons or small districts. [ 1913 Webster ]