Canterbury tale

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Canterbury \Can"ter*bur*y\ (k[a^]n"t[~e]r*b[e^]r*r[y^]), prop.
   n.
   1. A city in England, giving its name various articles. It is
      the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury (primate of all
      England), and contains the shrine of Thomas [`a] Becket,
      to which pilgrimages were formerly made.
      [1913 Webster]

   2. A stand with divisions in it for holding music, loose
      papers, etc.
      [1913 Webster]

   {Canterbury ball} (Bot.), a species of {Campanula} of several
      varieties, cultivated for its handsome bell-shaped
      flowers.

   {Canterbury gallop}, a gentle gallop such as was used by
      pilgrims riding to Canterbury; a canter.

   {Canterbury tale}, one of the tales which Chaucer puts into
      the mouths of certain pilgrims to Canterbury. Hence, any
      tale told by travelers to pass away the time.
      [1913 Webster]
    

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