Oantab. 
man): as, John Jones, M. A. I'mitnh. ft hat is, 
Master of Arts of Cambridge I'niversity). 2. 
[As ;i noun. | A member or graduate of the 
University of Cambridge in Kngl.-uid. 
Thf rattle -puled trick of u young rnitlab. 
Ctontoif an sketcheil in a series ..f Aeademlcal portraits, 
and I'niversitj life then was apparently niurh the same as 
It Is now. /',/, ,/,(/ /,',,-,, N 8, 
3. [As an adjective.] Of or belonging to the 
University of Cambridge. 
llou oft the Ciiiitnii supper, h.ust and guest, 
Would echo hclplc<* humbler to your jest ! 
/v,,,,,,.,,,,,, r,, in,. Uev. W. II. Krookfleld. 
cantabank (kan'tu-bangk), n. [A pi. canta- 
biiiiqui is cited in llallivvell; < It. cantambanco, 
formerly i-iiii/iiiluinro (Florio), a mountebank, 
a ballad-singer, lit. one who sings on a bench, 
< cantniT, sinj;, + in, on, + banco, bench: see 
mill-, il, bunk-. Cf. iiiniiiitiliinil:, xiiltitnliiiiirn. } 
A strolling singer; a common ballad-singer: 
used in contempt. [Rare.] 
He was no tavern cantabank that made it, 
But a squire minstrel of your Highness' court. 
Sir //. Taylor, Ph. van Artcvelde, I., 111. 2. 
cantabile (kan-ta'be-le), o. [It., < L. eaninlii- 
Ms,that maybe sung: see cantable.] In ./<. 
executed in the style of a song; flowing; sus- 
tained; lyrical. 
cantablet, [< L. cantabilis, that may be 
sung, < can tare, sing: see cant 2 . Cf. chantable.] 
That may be sung. liailcy, 1727. 
Cantabrian (kan-ta'bri-an), a. [L. Cantabria, 
Cantabria, in northern Spain.] Pertaining to 
the Cantabri, an ancient people of northern 
Spain, or to Cantabria, the region formerly in- 
habited by them. 
Cantabrigian (kan-ta-brij'i-an), n. and n. [< 
ML. Cantabrigicnsis, pertaining to Cambridge, 
< Cantnbrigiit, Cambridge.] I. a. Relating to 
Cambridge, England, or to its university. Also 
incorrectly spelled Cantabriili/i/ni. 
II. n. 1. An inhabitant or a native of Cam- 
bridge. 2. A student or graduate of Cam- 
liridgo University. Abbreviated Cantab. 
Oantabrigically (kan-ta-brij'i-kal-i), adv. Af- 
ter the manner of the students in Cambridge 
University. [Humorous and rare.] 
cantaliver, cantilever (kan'ta-liv-er, kan'ti- 
lev-6r), . and a. [Also written cantilicer, can- 
talever, canteliyer; 
of uncertain origin. 
The form cantalit'er 
(accented cantali'- 
ver in Bailey, 1733 
eauti' liver, John- 
son, 1755) appears 
to be the earliest, 
and is nearest the 
probable original, 
namely, < L. (NL.) 
quanta libra, of 
what weight or bal- 
ance (L. quanta, 
abl. fern, of quan- 
tus, how much (see 
quantity); libra, 
abl. of libra, a 
pound, weight, bal- 
ance, counterpoise , 
(see libra, litre); Co * B ~Tg?S.S. ln * > * l * 
cf. caliber, calirn; 
prob. of similar formation), a phrase which, if 
used technically in early modern (NL. ) works 
on architecture, would naturally take in E. the 
forms given. Hardly, as by some supposed, 
< cant 1 , an angle, + -a-, -i-, a mere syllable of 
transition, + lever, a support; cf. E. dial. I, << r, 
the support of the roof of a house.] I. H. 1. 
A block or large bracket of stone, metal, or 
wood, framed into the wall of a building, and 
projecting from it, to support a molding, a bal- 
cony, eaves, etc. Cantattvers serve the same 
end as modillions and brackets, but are not so 
regularly applied. Hence 2. One of two long 
brackets or arms projecting toward each other 
from opposite banks or piers, serving to form a 
bridge when uniteil directly or by a girder. 
II. a. Formed on the principle of the canta- 
liver, or with the use of cantali vers.* Cantaliver 
bridge. See bridge.^. 
cantaloup (kan'ta-lop or -lop), n. [Also writ- 
ten ciintiilntipi', i-iintahiiji, ciintvloup, rHt<V<//, 
etc.; < F. i-initti/onp, < It. cantalnpo, a canta- 
loup, so called from fantaliipo, a town in Italy 
where it was first grown in Europe.] A va- 
riety of muskinelon, somewhat ellipsoidal in 
shape, ribbed, of pale-green or yellow color, 
and of a delicate flavor. 
797 
cantankerosity (kan-tans-ke-roR'i-ti). n. [< 
i-nnlii i,l.i i -iiii.-i + -,li/. | ('antankcrougriess. [Hu- 
morous.] 
sir. Hi. urhtl.-niaii from South Carolina made a speech ; 
and if I may be allowed to coin a word, I will say it had 
i ciiiitniiki-riititii iii it than any speech I ever heard on 
this II.. or. 
A. /. -p.. .hin II. .uc of Rcpr., June 21, 18W. 
cantankerous (kaii-tang'ke-nm), a. [Prop. 
ilial., with suffix -otis, < E. dial, cantini/., r, 
"contnnkcr, a corruption (by assimilation of 
adjacent syllables) of ME. c<t>itn-/,<>iii: conte- 
kimr, prob. also 'conhickour, 'contakour, a quar- 
relsome person, < coat, </,: cinitnck, mutrk, con- 
in/,', contention, quarreling: see conteck, con- 
ti r/.</ifr.] Given to or marked by ill-tempered 
contradiction or opposition; contradictory; 
mulish; contentious; cross; waspish; ill-na- 
tured: as, "acantankeroushumouT. Thackeray. 
[Colloq.] 
There's not a more bitter cnntaiJceniu toad In all Chris- 
tendom. Qvldnnith, She Stoops to Conquer, ii. 
I hope, Mr. Falkland, as there are three of us come on 
purpose for the game, you won't be so cantankerow, aa to 
NjM.il the party by sitting out. Sheridan, The Rivals, v. 8. 
cantankerously (kan-tang'ke-rus-li), adv. In 
a cantankerous manner; ill-naturedly; wasp- 
ishly ; crossly. [Colloq.] 
cantankerousness (kan-tang'ke-rus-nes), . 
The state or quality of being cantankerous; 
ill-tempered opposition ; crossness ; waspish- 
ness. [Colloq.] 
By all means tell the truth, we reply, but we refuse to 
believe that the truth Is to be found in cautauteroumeM. 
London Timet, Aug. 14, 1863. 
cantar (kan'tar), n. [= It. cantaro = Bulg. 
kantar, kentar = Serv. kantar, < Turk, qantar 
(kantar), < Ar. qintar, a hundredweight, quin- 
tal (> It. quintale = Sp. Pg. Pr. F. quintal, 
>E. kintal, quintal, q. v.), < L. centenarius, con- 
sisting of a hundred (pounds, feet, years, etc.) : 
see centenary, centner, and quintal, all ult. doub- 
lets of can tar. ] An Arabian and Turkish unit 
of weight, a hundred rotls or pounds. Many dif- 
ferent rolls are in use in Mohammedan countries, for dif- 
ferent commodities, and each has its cantar. The cantar 
tints has all values from 08.05 pounds avoirdupois (the 
government cantar of Alexandria) to 880 pounds (the 
great cantar of Aleppo). The cantar of Constantinople 
is 124.65 pounds, that of Smyrna 127.43 pounds ; that of the 
calif Almamun (A. D. 813-33) waa 103.4 pounds. 
cantara (kan'tii-rft), n. [< Sp. (xintara = Pg. 
cantara, also cantaro, a liquid measure (see 
def.), < cantara, cantaro = It. cantaro, a jar or 
pitcher, < L. cantharus, a drinking-vessel: see 
cantliarus.] In Spain and Portugal, same as 
arroba. 
cantata (kan-ta'ttt), n. [It., < cantare, < L. 
cantare, sing: see cait 2 .] Originally, a musical 
recitation of a short drama or story in verse 
by one person, without action, accompanied by 
a single instrument, and later with airs or 
melodies interspersed ; now, a choral composi- 
tion, either sacred in the manner of an oratorio, 
but shorter, or secular, as a lyric drama or story 
adapted to music, but not intended to be acted. 
Cantate (kan-ta'te), n. [L., 2d pers. pi. pres. 
impv. of cantare, sing: seecawt 2 .] The ninety- 
eigiith psalm, so called from the first words 
in Latin, Cantate (O sing), more fully Confute 
Domino (Sing ye unto the Lprd). It Is appointed 
in the Book of Common Prayer to be used as a canticle 
after the first lesson at Evening Prayer, except when It 
is read in the ordinary course of the Psalter on the nine- 
teenth day of the month. In the English book It is the 
alternate of the Mafniijicat. In the American book it 
has the HIIHHUI eft cunfteri as its alternate, and U itself, 
since 1880. an alternate of the Mayniln-nt. 
cantationt (kan-ta'shon), . [< L. cantatio(n-), 
< cantare, pp. cantatas, sing: see mf 2 .] A 
singing. Cockeram. 
Cantatores (kan-ta-to'rez), n. pi. [NL., pi. of 
L. cantator, singer. < cantare, pp. cantatas, 
sing: see cn( 2 .] In ornitli.. a group of pas- 
serine perching birds, more or less nearly co- 
exiciisive with ]'a,ineres, Cantores, or (As. 
the singing birds or songsters, in Macglllivray's 
system (18;), where the term is first technically used, 
the Cantatureg are the fifth order of birds ; the order as 
there constituted, however, is not exactly conterminous 
with any now recognized group of birds, but includes 
some heterogeneous non-oscine forms. 
cantatory (kan'ta-to-ri), n. [< L. as if "can- 
tiilorins, < CHiitHtor, singer: see Cantatores.'] 
Of or pertaining to singing or to singers. Dr. 
v. Mill,;: [Rare.] 
cantatrice (kan'ta-tres; It. pron. kan-ta-tre'- 
che), n. [F. cantutrice, < It. cantatrice, < L. 
Kiiitatricem, ace. of cantatrijc. fern, of cantator, 
a singer: see Ctnitiitores.] A female singer: 
applied especially to one who sings in opera 
or public concerts. 
canterbury 
cant-block (kant'blok), . A large block used 
in canting n hales, that is, turning thorn over 
in llon-in^'. /'. //. l\niiilil. 
cant-board (kftnfbtod), . A division made 
in the conveyor-box of a flour-bolt to separate 
ilitTerent grades. 
cant-body (kant'bod'i). . Iii .ilii/i-biiililii,ii, 
r he portion of a vessel which contains the cant- 
frames'. 
The square liody ends and the eant-budy commence* 
just where the angles between the level line* and square 
stations In the half-breadth plan i>. jin i.. .1. -viate greatly 
from right angles, or where a dinViiltv i-. (..tin. I in obtain- 
ing suitable tlml>er owing to the levelling rrc|iilrcd. 
Thfnrlr, Naval Arch., < M. 
cant-chisel (kantVhiz'el), . A large strong 
chisel having a rib and the basil on one side. 
cant-dog (kaut'dog), n. Same as cant-hook, 1. 
lirockrtt. [Prov. Eng.] 
canted (kan'ted), a. [< canfl + -ecP.~\ 1. 
Having cants or angles: in arch., applied to 
pillars, turrets, or towers the plan of which is a 
polygon. 2. Tilted to one side. 
canteen (kan-tSn'), n. [Also cantine; < F. can- 
tun, < It. cniitina, a cellar, cave, grotto (cf. 
dim. run ti in-tin, a small cellar, ice-pail, cooler), 
= Sp. fiintina; dim. of It. Sp. canto, a side, 
corner, angle : see can/ 1 .] 1. A sort of sutler's 
shop in barracks, camps, garrisons, etc., where 
provisions, liquors, etc., are sold. 
The king of France established a sufficient number of 
canteriu for furnishing his troops with tobacco, lieu, ( 'ye. 
Much of the time formerly wasted in the cantfen, to the 
injury alike of health and morals, is now devoted to read- 
ing. Dr. J. Bruwn, Spare Hours, 3d ser., p. 181. 
2. A vessel used by soldiers for carrying water 
or liquor for drink. In the British army the canteen 
is a small vessel capable of containing 3 pint*, which Is 
carried by each soldier on the inarch, on foreign service, 
or In the field. In the Vnltrd States army the regulation 
canteen is of tin, covered with a woolen fabric, Is circular 
In shape, with sharp periphery and bulging sides like a 
double-convex lens, fitted with a cylindrical spout stop- 
lied by a cork, and holds about 3 pints ; It Is slung over 
the shoulder. A much lariier kind, of the same materials, 
but with flat sides, and holding a gallon or more, is some- 
times used, but not commonly carried on the person. 
3. A square box, fitted up with compartments, 
in which British officers on foreign service pack 
a variety of articles, as spirit-bottles, tea and 
sugar, plates, knives, forks, etc. 
cantelt, . See cantle. 
canteleup, canteloup, n. See cantaloup. 
canter 1 (kan'ter), n. [An abbr. of Canterbury 
gallop: see gallop.'] 1. A moderate running 
pace of a horse ; a moderate or easy gallop. 
The canter Is to the gallop very much what the walk U 
to the trot, though probably a more artificial pace. 
Ymtatl, The Horse, p. S47. 
2. Figuratively, a brisk but easy movement of 
any kind; a running over or through; a run; 
a scamper. 
A rapid canter in the "Times " over all the topics of the 
day. Sir / Stephen. 
To Win In a canter, in hone-racing, to distance all the 
other horses sit much that urging toward the end of the 
race Is unnecessary ; hence, figuratively, to overcome an 
opponent easily. 
canter 1 (kan'ter), r. [< cantcrl, .] I. intrant. 
1. To move in a canter: said of horses. 2. 
To ride a cantering horse. 
II. trans. To cause to canter. 
canter 8 (kan'ter), n. [< canty, r., + -crl.] 1. 
One who cants or whines; a professional beg- 
gar or vagrant. 
Jugglers and gypsies, all the aorta of cantrrt, and colo- 
nies of beggars. B. Jonton. 
2. One who talks cant, in any sense of the 
word ; especially, a canting preacher. 
You are the second part of the society of eantert, out- 
laws to order and discipline, and the only privileged 
church-robbers of Christendom. 
B. Joiuon, Bartholomew Fair, v. 2. 
On Whitsunday I went to the church (w* U a very faire 
one), and heard one of the canter*, who duunias'd the as- 
sembly rudely and without any blessing. 
Krelim. Diary, June 4, 1852. 
canter 3 (kan'ter). n. [< cant*, r., + -!.] One 
who bids at an auction. See extract. 
A clan of men called cantrrt. who were accustomed to 
bi.l for the tithe of their ncightMiurs land, and who by 
Vt biteboy terrorism were almost extirpated from Munstcr. 
Leclni, Eng. in 18th Cent., xvl. 
canterbury (kan'ter-ber-i), n. [< Canterbury 
(a city of England), in AS. fanttraraburh, gen. 
and dat. -byrig, < Cantirara, gen. pi. of Cimt- 
tcare, people of Kent (< Cant, Cent, Kent, + 
ware, pi., inhabitants, related to trer, a man: 
see ), + biirh, city: see borough^, ftury 1 .] 
A stand with divisions, for holding music, port- 
folios, loose papers, etc., usually made some- 
