— cantonal , adj. — cantonalism , n.
/kan"tn, -ton, kan ton"/ for 1-7; /kan ton", -tohn" or/ , esp. Brit., /-toohn"/ for 8 , n.
1. a small territorial district, esp. one of the states of the Swiss confederation.
2. (in a department of France) a division of an arrondissement.
3. Heraldry. a square area in the dexter chief, or right-hand corner, of an escutcheon, often distinctively treated: a diminutive of the dexter chief quarter.
4. Archit. a pilaster or similar feature projecting from the corner of a building.
5. Obs. a division, part, or portion of anything.
v.t.
6. to divide into parts or portions.
7. to divide into cantons or territorial districts.
8. to allot quarters to (soldiers, troops, etc.).
[ 1525-35; can side, edge (see CANT 2 ) ]