Canton
Canton , noun
A song or canto [Obsolete]
Write loyal cantons of contemned love.
Canton , noun
[French canton, augm. of Old French cant edge, corner. See 1st Cant.]
1.
A small portion; a division; a compartment.
That little canton of land called the “English pale”
There is another piece of Holbein's,... in which, in six several cantons, the several parts of our Savior's passion are represented.
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.
(Heraldry) 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.
Canton , intransitive verb
[Compare French 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.
2.
(Military) To allot separate quarters to, as to different parts or divisions of an army or body of troops.