Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Canton
Can′ton (kăn′tŭn), n. A song or canto [Obs.]
Write loyal cantons of contemned love. Shak.
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.
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.