cantle noun & verb. ['kant(ǝ)l] ME.
[Anglo-Norman cantel = Old French chantel (mod. chanteau) from medieval Latin cantellus dim. of Latin cant(h)us: see CANT noun¹, -EL².]
A. noun.
1. A nook, a corner; a projecting corner or angle of land. Long rare. ME.
b. A corner or other portion that has been cut off; a sliver. LME-E17.

2. A section or segment cut out of anything; a thick slice or cut of bread, cheese, etc. arch. ME.
b. A segment of a circle or sphere. M16.

3. A (separate or distinct) part or portion. arch. ME.

4. The protuberant part at the back of a saddle. L16.

5. The crown of the head. Scot. E19.
B. verb trans.
1. Piece together (cloth). Only in M16.

2. Cut into segments, divide; portion out. L16-L17.

■ cantlet noun (arch.) a small part or portion L17.

■ cantling noun = cantlet L17-E19.

[TahlilGaran] English Dictionary ▲