canter

[ kan-ter ]

/ ˈkæn tər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR canter ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an easy gallop.

verb (used with or without object)

to move or ride at a canter.

RELATED WORDS

lope, race, trot

Nearby words

cantata, cantatrice, canteen, canteen culture, canteloube, canter, canterbury, canterbury bell, canterbury bells, canterbury lamb, canterbury pilgrims

Origin of canter

First recorded in 1745–55; short for Canterbury to ride at a pace like that of Canterbury pilgrims

Definition for canter (2 of 4)

canter

[ kan-ter ]

/ ˈkæn tər /

noun

a person who is much given to the use of cant.

Origin of canter

First recorded in 1870–75; cant¹ + -er¹

Definition for canter (3 of 4)

cant

[ kant ]

/ kænt /

noun

a salient angle.

a sudden movement that tilts or overturns a thing.

a slanting or tilted position.

an oblique line or surface, as one formed by cutting off the corner of a square of cube.

an oblique or slanting face of anything.

Civil Engineering. bank¹(def 6).

a sudden pitch or toss.

Also called flitch. a partly trimmed log.

adjective

oblique or slanting.

verb (used with object)

to bevel; form an oblique surface upon.

to put in an oblique position; tilt; tip.

to throw with a sudden jerk.

verb (used without object)

to take or have an inclined position; tilt; turn.

Origin of cant

1325–75; Middle English: side, border < Anglo-French cant, Old French chant < a Romance base *cantu(m) with the related senses “rim, border” and “angle corner,” probably < Celtic; compare Latin cant(h)us iron tire (< Celtic), Welsh cant periphery, rim, felloe; probably not akin to Greek kanthós corner of the eye; cf. canteen, cantle, canton

Related forms

cant·ic, adjective

Definition for canter (4 of 4)

cant

[ kahnt ]

/ kɑnt /

adjective Scot. and North England.

hearty; merry.

Origin of cant

1250–1300; Middle English < Low German kant merry, bold

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for canter

This is where I was a little less impressed by the things Canter had to say.
Democrats’ Best Weapon for Midterms: Fear of a Red Senate|Michael Tomasky|February 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Canter says the operations in those 10 states will look like this.
Democrats’ Best Weapon for Midterms: Fear of a Red Senate|Michael Tomasky|February 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Canter acknowledges that the Democrats talk about “field” in every off-year election.
Democrats’ Best Weapon for Midterms: Fear of a Red Senate|Michael Tomasky|February 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Look also, Canter says, at what happened in Montana and North Dakota in 2012.
Democrats’ Best Weapon for Midterms: Fear of a Red Senate|Michael Tomasky|February 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST

“This race is going to surprise a lot of people,” says Canter.
Democrats Are on Track to Retain Control of Senate|Eleanor Clift|November 6, 2012|DAILY BEAST
You—you are not inclined for a canter round Summer Hill before breakfast?'
The Pool in the Desert|Sara Jeanette Duncan
What have you registered your own special toy, that you canter so vigorously around the world?
A Speckled Bird|Augusta J. Evans Wilson
They then put on the saddles and bridles which they had brought with them, and went off at a canter across the plains.
Redskin and Cow-Boy|G. A. (George Alfred) Henty
They give the idea, however, of great strength combined with fleetness; and the animal is observed to canter with great velocity.
Delineations of the Ox Tribe|George Vasey
Ellis set off at a canter, and Barbara's mount kept close at his heels.
The Lost Wagon|James Arthur Kjelgaard

British Dictionary definitions for canter (1 of 4)

canter

/ (ˈkæntə) /

noun

an easy three-beat gait of horses, etc, between a trot and a gallop in speed

at a canter easily; without efforthe won at a canter

verb

to move or cause to move at a canter

Word Origin for canter

C18: short for Canterbury trot, the supposed pace at which pilgrims rode to Canterbury

British Dictionary definitions for canter (2 of 4)

cant

/ (kænt) /

noun

insincere talk, esp concerning religion or morals; pious platitudes

stock phrases that have become meaningless through repetition

specialized vocabulary of a particular group, such as thieves, journalists, or lawyers; jargon

singsong whining speech, as used by beggars

verb

(intr) to speak in or use cant

Derived Forms

canter, nouncantingly, adverb

Word Origin for cant

C16: probably via Norman French canter to sing, from Latin cantāre; used disparagingly, from the 12th century, of chanting in religious services

British Dictionary definitions for canter (3 of 4)

cant

/ (kænt) /

noun

inclination from a vertical or horizontal plane; slope; slant

a sudden movement that tilts or turns something

the angle or tilt thus caused

a corner or outer angle, esp of a building

an oblique or slanting surface, edge, or line

verb (tr)

to tip, tilt, or overturn, esp with a sudden jerk

to set in an oblique position

another word for bevel (def. 1)

adjective

oblique; slanting

having flat surfaces and without curves

Derived Forms

cantic, adjective

Word Origin for cant

C14 (in the sense: edge, corner): perhaps from Latin canthus iron hoop round a wheel, of obscure origin

British Dictionary definitions for canter (4 of 4)

cant

/ (kɑːnt) /

adjective

Scot and Northern English dialect lusty; merry; hearty

Word Origin for cant

C14: related to Low German kant bold, merry

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012