CANTON, noun 1. A small portion of land, or division of territory; originally, a portion of territory on a border; also, the inhabitants of a canton 2. A small portion or district of territory, constituting a distinct state or government; as in Switzerland. 3. In heraldry, a corner of the shield. 4. A distinct part, or division; as the cantons of a painting or other representation.
Source: Webster's 1828 American Dictionary ↗ · public-domain · returned verbatim, no AI