canton

canton [kan′tən, kan′tän΄; kan tän′; ] for vt. 2 [ kan tän′, kantōn′ & ] Brit [, kən to͞on′]

n.

[Fr < It cantone < LL cantus: see CANT²]

1. any of the political divisions of a country or territory; specif.,

a) any of the states in the Swiss Republic

b) a division of an arrondissement in France

2.

a) Heraldry a small, square section of a shield, usually in the upper dexter corner

b) a rectangular section in a flag, in the upper corner nearest the staff

vt.

1. to divide into cantons

2. to assign quarters to (troops, etc.); quarter

cantonal

adj.