from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Cant \Cant\, n. [OF., edge, angle, prof. from L. canthus the
iron ring round a carriage wheel, a wheel, Gr. ? the corner
of the eye, the felly of a wheel; cf. W. cant the stake or
tire of a wheel. Cf. {Canthus}, {Canton}, {Cantle}.]
1. A corner; angle; niche. [Obs.]
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The first and principal person in the temple was
Irene, or Peace; she was placed aloft in a cant.
--B. Jonson.
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2. An outer or external angle.
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3. An inclination from a horizontal or vertical line; a slope
or bevel; a titl. --Totten.
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4. A sudden thrust, push, kick, or other impulse, producing a
bias or change of direction; also, the bias or turn so
give; as, to give a ball a cant.
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5. (Coopering) A segment forming a side piece in the head of
a cask. --Knight.
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6. (Mech.) A segment of he rim of a wooden cogwheel.
--Knight.
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7. (Naut.) A piece of wood laid upon the deck of a vessel to
support the bulkheads.
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{Cant frames}, {Cant timbers} (Naut.), timber at the two ends
of a ship, rising obliquely from the keel.
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