English
canton
Canton comes from Old French canton ‘corner’.
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400canton‘corner’
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1662same form
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Old Frenchc. 842–1400canton‘corner’
- Middle Frenchc. 1400–1600same form
- Englishearliest quotation 1662same form
Earliest quotation: 1662, [Diary entry for 21 August 1662]: “The king gave us the arms of England to…”
Every English word from Old French canton
Today it means
noun A division of a political unit.
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old French canton / canton