canter

1
[ kan-ter ]
/ ˈkæn tər /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR canter ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

an easy gallop.

verb (used with or without object)

to move or ride at a canter.

Origin of canter

1
First recorded in 1745–55; short for Canterbury to ride at a pace like that of Canterbury pilgrims

Words nearby canter

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

Definition for canter (2 of 4)

canter 2
[ kan-ter ]
/ ˈkæn tər /

noun

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

Origin of canter

2
First recorded in 1870–75; cant1 + -er1

Definition for canter (3 of 4)

Origin of cant

2
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

OTHER WORDS FROM cant

cant·ic, adjective

Definition for canter (4 of 4)

cant 3
[ kahnt ]
/ kɑnt /

adjective Scot. and North England.

hearty; merry.

Origin of cant

3
1250–1300; Middle English < Low German kant merry, bold

Words related to canter

lope, race, trot

Example sentences from the Web for canter

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 effort he 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 1
/ (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 of cant

canter, noun cantingly, 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 2
/ (kænt) /

noun

verb (tr)

adjective

oblique; slanting
having flat surfaces and without curves

Derived forms of cant

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 3
/ (kɑːnt) /

adjective

Scot and Northern English dialect lusty; merry; hearty

Word Origin for cant

C14: related to Low German kant bold, merry