Obs. exc. dial. [App. connected immed. with CANT v.1 ‘to share,’ and with CANTLE, though in some uses it closely approaches CANT sb.1; whether this is original or due to subsequent confusion is not clear.]
A portion; a share; a parcel; a division.
a. 1541. Wyatt, in Tottel’s Misc. (Arb.), 92. Lende in no wise:… By which returne be sure to winne a cant Of halfe at least.
1736. J. Lewis, Hist. Thanet, Gloss., Cant, a corner of a field.
1812. J. H. Vaux, Flash Dict., Cant of Dobbin, a roll of riband.
1847–78. Halliwell, s.v. In Hampshire a small bundle of hay is termed a cant.
1863. Morton, Cycl. Agric., Gloss. (E. D. S.), Cant-furrow, a divisional furrow.
1875. Parish, Sussex Dial., A haystack is said to be cut across in cants, and a field of wheat is divided into cants when it is portioned out in slips for the reapers, each of whom takes one or more cants as his share of work.
