cantle

  • 1Cantle — Can tle, n. [OF. cantel, chantel, corner, side, piece, F. chanteau a piece cut from a larger piece, dim. of OF. cant edge, corner. See 1st {Cant}.] 1. A corner or edge of anything; a piece; a fragment; a part. In one cantle of his law. Milton.… …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 2Cantle — Can tle, v. t. To cut in pieces; to cut out from. [Obs.] [Written also {cantile}.] [1913 Webster] …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3cantle — index element, segment Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …

    Law dictionary

  • 4cantle — early 14c., a part, a portion, also a section cut out of anything (mid 15c.), from O.N.Fr. cantel (Fr. chanteau), from M.L. cantellus, dim. of cantus corner (see CANT (Cf. cant) (2)) …

    Etymology dictionary

  • 5cantle — [kant′ l] n. [ME cantel, a corner, rim, piece < OFr < ML cantellus, dim. of LL cantus: see CANT2] the upward curving rear part of a saddle …

    English World dictionary

  • 6cantle — /kan tl/, n. 1. the hind part of a saddle, usually curved upward. See illus. under saddle. 2. a corner; piece; portion: a cantle of land. [1275 1325; ME cantel ( < AF) < ML cantellus, equiv. to L cant(us) (see CANT2) + ellus dim. suffix] * * * …

    Universalium

  • 7cantle — can•tle [[t]ˈkæn tl[/t]] n. 1) the hind part of a saddle, usu. curved upward 2) a corner; piece; portion: a cantle of land[/ex] • Etymology: 1275–1325; ME cantel (&LT; AF) &LT; ML cantellus …

    From formal English to slang

  • 8cantle — noun Etymology: Middle English cantel, from Anglo French cantel, chantel, diminutive of Old French chant side, edge more at cant Date: 14th century 1. a segment cut off or out of something ; part, portion …

    New Collegiate Dictionary

  • 9cantle — noun /ˈkantəl,ˈkæntəl/ The raised back of a saddle. ther begā a strong bataille with many grete strokes, soo hewe with her swerdes that the cantels flewe in the feldes, and moche blood they bledde both [...] …

    Wiktionary

  • 10Cantle — The high part at the back of a knight s saddle. It was designed to offer him extra support on his * destrier, absorbing the shock of his opponent s lance striking him …

    Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases