Part 52

Can"ta*loupe (?), n. [F. cantaloup, It. cantalupo, so called from the caste of Cantalupo, in the Marca d'Ancona, in Italy, where they were first grown in Europe, from seed said to have been imported from Armenia.] A muskmelon of several varieties, having when mature, a yellowish skin, and flesh of a reddish orange color. [Written also cantaleup.]

Can*tan"ker*ous (?), a. Perverse; contentious; ugly; malicious. [Colloq.] -- Can*tan"ker*ous*ly, adv. -- Can*tan"ker*ous*ness, n.

The cantankerous old maiden aunt. Thackeray.

{ Can"tar (?), ||Can*tar"ro (?), } n. [It. cantaro (in sense 1), Sp. cantaro (in sense 2).]

1. A weight used in southern Europe and East for heavy articles. It varies in different localities; thus, at Rome it is nearly 75 pounds, in Sardinia nearly 94 pounds, in Cairo it is 95 pounds, in Syria about 503 pounds.

2. A liquid measure in Spain, ranging from two and a half to four gallons. Simmonds.

||Can*ta"ta (?), n. [It., fr. cantare to sing, fr. L. cantare intens of canere to sing.] (Mus.) A poem set to music; a musical composition comprising choruses, solos, interludes, etc., arranged in a somewhat dramatic manner; originally, a composition for a single noise, consisting of both recitative and melody.

Can*ta"tion (?), n. [L. cantatio.] A singing. [Obs.] Blount.

Cant"a*to*ry (?), a. Containing cant or affectation; whining; singing. [R.]

||Can`ta*tri"ce (k&adot;n`t&adot;*trē"ch&asl;), n. [It.] (Mus.) A female professional singer.

Cant"ed (?), a. [From 2d Cant.] 1. Having angles; as, a six canted bolt head; a canted window.

Canted column (Arch.), a column polygonal in plan.

2. Inclined at an angle to something else; tipped; sloping.

Can*teen" (kăn*tēn"), n. [F. cantine bottle case, canteen (cf. Sp. & It. cantina cellar, bottle case), either contr. fr. It. canovettina, dim. of canova cellar, or, more likely, fr. OF. cant. corner, It. & Sp. canto. See 1st Cant.] (Mil.) 1. A vessel used by soldiers for carrying water, liquor, or other drink. [Written also cantine.]

&fist; In the English service the canteen is made of wood and holds three pints; in the United States it is usually a tin flask.

2. The sutler's shop in a garrison; also, a chest containing culinary and other vessels for officers.

Can"tel (?), n. See Cantle.

Can"ter (?), n. [An abbreviation of Caner bury. See Canterbury gallop, under Canterbury.] 1. A moderate and easy gallop adapted to pleasure riding.

&fist; The canter is a thoroughly artificial pace, at first extremely tiring to the horse, and generally only to be produced in him by the restraint of a powerful bit, which compels him to throw a great part of his weight on his haunches . . . There is so great a variety in the mode adopted by different horses for performing the canter, that no single description will suffice, nor indeed is it easy . . . to define any one of them. J. H. Walsh.

2. A rapid or easy passing over.

A rapid canter in the Times over all the topics. Sir J. Stephen.

Can"ter (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Cantered (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Cantering.] To move in a canter.

Can"ter, v. t. To cause, as a horse, to go at a canter; to ride (a horse) at a canter.

Cant"er, n. 1. One who cants or whines; a beggar.

2. One who makes hypocritical pretensions to goodness; one who uses canting language.

The day when he was a canter and a rebel. Macaulay.

Can"ter*bur*y (?), n. 1. A city in England, giving its name various articles. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury (primate of all England), and contains the shrine of Thomas Ó Becket, to which pilgrimages were formerly made.

2. A stand with divisions in it for holding music, loose papers, etc.