Dictionary

1canter

noun cant·er \ˈkan-tər\

Definition of CANTER

:  one who uses cant: as
a :  beggar, vagabond
b :  a user of professional or religious cant
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First Known Use of CANTER

1609

2canter

verb can·ter \ˈkan-tər\

of a horse : to run fairly fast : to run at a canter

: to ride on a horse that is running fairly fast : to ride a horse at a canter

Full Definition of CANTER

intransitive verb
1
:  to move at or as if at a canter :  lope
2
:  to ride a horse at a canter
transitive verb
:  to cause to go at a canter

Origin of CANTER

short for obsolete canterbury, noun (canter), from Canterbury, England; from the supposed gait of pilgrims riding to Canterbury
First Known Use: 1706

Other Equestrian Terms

canter, cantle, curry, farrier, hunter, paddock, router, skirt, tack

3canter

noun can·ter

Definition of CANTER

1
:  a 3-beat gait resembling but smoother and slower than the gallop
2
:  a ride at a canter

First Known Use of CANTER

1755

Other Equestrian Terms

cantle, curry, farrier, hunter, paddock, router, skirt, tack

Rhymes with CANTER

CANTER Defined for Kids

1canter

noun can·ter \ˈkan-tər\

Definition of CANTER for Kids

:  a horse's gait resembling but slower than a gallop

2canter

verb
can·teredcan·ter·ing

Definition of CANTER for Kids

:  to run with a movement that resembles but is slower than a gallop <Below he saw the Black cantering along the beach. — Walter Farley, The Black Stallion>

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