First published 1888; not yet revised More entries for "canton"

† cantonnoun2

Etymology
Meaning & use

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Factsheet

What does the noun canton mean?

There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun canton. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

This word is now obsolete. It is last recorded around the early 1600s.

canton developed meanings and uses in subjects including

literature (late 1500s) music (late 1500s)

Entry status

OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.

See meaning & use

Where does the noun canton come from?

Earliest known use

late 1500s

The earliest known use of the noun canton is in the late 1500s.

OED's earliest evidence for canton is from 1594, in Zepheria.

canton is a variant or alteration of another lexical item.

Etymons: canto n.

See etymology

Nearby entries

cantless, adj.1885–
cantlet, n.1700–
cantle-wise, adv.1548–
cant-line, n.1867–
cantling, n.1600–74
cantly, adv.¹1352–1540
cantly, adv.²1828–
canto, n.1590–
canto fermo, n.1789–
canton, n.¹a1533–
canton, n.²1594–1616
Canton, n.³1860–
canton, v.1598–
cantonal, adj.1842–
cantonalism, n.1873–
cantoned, adj.1611–
cantoner, n.a1670–
Cantonese, adj. & n.1857–
cantoning, n.1625–
cantonist, n.1854–
cantonite, n.1858–

Browse more nearby entries

Etymology

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Meaning & use

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Entry history for canton, n.²

canton, n.² was first published in 1888; not yet revised.

canton, n.² was last modified in September 2023.

Revision of the OED is a long-term project. Entries in oed.com which have not been revised may include:

corrections and revisions to definitions, pronunciation, etymology, headwords, variant spellings, quotations, and dates;
new senses, phrases, and quotations which have been added in subsequent print and online updates.

Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into canton, n.² in September 2023.

Earlier versions of this entry were published in:

OED First Edition (1888)

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OED Second Edition (1989)

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View canton, n.² in OED Second Edition

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Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “,” , .

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“” Oxford English Dictionary, Oxford UP, , .

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Citation details

Factsheet for canton, n.²

Browse entry

Nearby entries

cantless, adj.1885–
cantlet, n.1700–
cantle-wise, adv.1548–
cant-line, n.1867–
cantling, n.1600–74
cantly, adv.¹1352–1540
cantly, adv.²1828–
canto, n.1590–
canto fermo, n.1789–
canton, n.¹a1533–
canton, n.²1594–1616
Canton, n.³1860–
canton, v.1598–
cantonal, adj.1842–
cantonalism, n.1873–
cantoned, adj.1611–
cantoner, n.a1670–
Cantonese, adj. & n.1857–
cantoning, n.1625–
cantonist, n.1854–
cantonite, n.1858–

Browse more nearby entries