canton

¹

[ kan-tn, -ton, kan-ton kan-ton, -tohn, or, especially British, -toon ]

noun

1. a small territorial district, especially one of the states of the Swiss confederation.
2. (in a department of France) a division of an arrondissement.
3. Heraldry. a square area in the dexter chief, or right-hand corner, of an escutcheon, often distinctively treated: a diminutive of the dexter chief quarter.
4. Architecture. a pilaster or similar feature projecting from the corner of a building.
5. Obsolete. a division, part, or portion of anything.

verb (used with object)

1. to divide into parts or portions.
2. to divide into cantons or territorial districts.
3. to allot quarters to (soldiers, troops, etc.).

Canton

²

[ kan-ton, kan-ton kan-tn ]

noun

1. Older Spelling. a seaport in and the capital of Guangdong province, in southeastern China, on the Zhu Jiang. Also called (Older Spelling) Kwang·chow [kwahng, -, choh, kwang, -, gwahng, -, joh],.
2. a city in northeastern Ohio: location of the football Hall of Fame.
3. a city in eastern Massachusetts.
4. a city in western central Illinois.
5. a town in central Mississippi.

Canton

¹

noun

1. kænˈtɒn a port in SE China, capital of Guangdong province, on the Zhu Jiang (Pearl River): the first Chinese port open to European trade. Pop: 3 881 000 (2005 est) Chinese namesGuangzhouKwangchow
2. ˈkæntən a city in the US, in NE Ohio. Pop: 80 806 (2000)

canton

²

noun

1. any of the 23 political divisions of Switzerland
2. a subdivision of a French arrondissement
3. ˈkæntən heraldry a small square or oblong charge on a shield, usually in the top left corner

verb

1. kænˈtɒn tr to divide into cantons
2. kənˈtuːn (esp formerly) to allocate accommodation to (military personnel)

Derived Forms

• ˈcantonal, adjective

Other Words From

• canton·al adjective
• canton·al·ism noun
• un·cantoned adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of canton¹

1525–35; < Middle French < Old Provençal, derivative of can side, edge ( cant ² )

Word History and Origins

Origin of canton¹

C16: from Old French: corner, division, from Italian cantone, from canto corner, from Latin canthus iron rim; see cant ²

Example Sentences

The Democrat's early voting edge in Stark means that they are confident of winning the cities of Canton, Massillon, and Alliance.

From The Daily Beast

Last winter saw a battle at Plymouth-Canton Community Schools in Michigan.

From The Daily Beast

The memory of 1912, Carlisle, and Canton was as fresh as yesterday in that pre-television era.

From The Daily Beast

In 1915 Thorpe started also playing and coaching the “reptile sport” of professional football in Canton, Ohio.

From The Daily Beast

“I am totally undecided,” says Ryan Ayers, an independent voter who lives in Canton, Ohio and who voted for John McCain in 2008.

From The Daily Beast

Capitulation of the city of Canton, which had forfeited previous stipulations with the British and resumed hostilities.

From Project Gutenberg

I resolved to stop only a few days in Victoria, as it was my wish to arrive at Canton as soon as possible.

From Project Gutenberg

I visited during my stay in Canton as many workshops of the different artists as I could.

From Project Gutenberg

For miles below Canton, the villages follow one another in quick succession.

From Project Gutenberg

It is only during the last few years that we European women have been allowed to visit or remain in the factories at Canton.

From Project Gutenberg