Obs. [Of uncertain etymol.: associated in sense with CANT sb.2, but of much earlier appearance, being the oldest vb. cant in the lang., and as a word preceded only by CANT a. and CANT sb.1 Since the dim. of the latter word, cantel, chanteau, CANTLE, had the sense of ‘piece, fragment,’ it is possible that this sense may have attached also to the primitive, and that a verb to cant ‘to divide into pieces’ may have been in LG. or ONF.: but it has not yet been found.]
1. trans. To part, divide, share, parcel out, apportion.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 6. Cantyn or departyn, partior, divido.
1529. More, Comf. agst. Trib., III. Wks. 1245/2. Our very prison this earth is. And yet therof we cant vs out … dyuers partes dyuerslye to our self. Ibid. (1533), Debell. Salem, Wks. 943/2. To diuide & cant it among good poore husband men, that should til the ground [with] theyr handes.
2. (See quot.) Cf. CANT sb.2 (quot. 1875).
1863. Morton, Cycl. Agric., Gloss. (E. D. S.), Cant, (Kent), to let out land to mow, hoe, &c.
