n. [ F. canton, augm. of OF. cant edge, corner. See 1st Cant. ] 1. A small portion; a division; a compartment. [ 1913 Webster ] That little canton of land called the “English pale” Davies. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 2. A small community or clan. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] 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. [ 1913 Webster ] The king gave us the arms of England to be borne in a canton in our arms. Evelyn. [ 1913 Webster ] | 
