Canton

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈkæntnÌ©/
• IPA: /ˈkæntÉ’n/ (especially in the flag sense)

From Old French canton ("corner").

Alternative forms

• kanton

Full definition of canton

Noun

1. A division of a political unit.
• Daviesthat little canton of land called the "English pale"
• Bishop BurnetThere is another piece of Holbein's, ... in which, in six several cantons, the several parts of our Saviour's passion are represented.
1. One of the states comprising the Swiss Confederation.
2. A subdivision of an arrondissement of France.
3. A division of Luxembourg, Bosnia and Herzegovina, etc.
2. A small community or clan.
3. A subdivision of a flag, the rectangular inset on the upper hoist (i.e., flagpole) side (e.g., the stars of the US national flag are in a canton).
4. (heraldiccharge) A division of a shield occupying one third of the chief, usually on the dexter side, formed by a perpendicular line from the top meeting a horizontal line from the side.
• EvelynThe king gave us the arms of England to be borne in a canton in our arms.

Verb

1. To delineate as a separate district.

Noun

1. (obsolete) A song or canto.
• ShakespeareWrite loyal cantons of contemned love.

Anagrams

• cannot, noncat