[can.ton] n [MF, fr. It cantone, fr. canto corner, fr. L canthus iron tire--more at cant] (1522): a small territorial division of a country: as a: one of the states of the Swiss confederation b: a division of a French arrondissement
[2]canton n [MF, fr. OProv, fr. cant edge, corner, fr. L canthus] (1572) 1 obs: division, section
2: the top inner quarter of a flag
3: the dexter chief region of a heraldic field -- can.ton.al adj