[can.ti.le.ver] n [perh. fr. [3]cant + -i- + lever] (1667): a projecting beam or member supported at only one end: as a: a bracket-shaped member supporting a balcony or a cornice b: either of the two beams or trusses that project from piers toward each other and that when joined directly or by a suspended connecting member form a span of a cantilever bridge--see bridge illustration
[2]cantilever vt (1902) 1: to support by a cantilever "a ~ed shelf"
2: to build as a cantilever ~ vi: to project as a cantilever