Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Cant \Cant\, n. [OF., edge, angle, prof. from L. canthus the
   iron ring round a carriage wheel, a wheel, Gr. ? the corner
   of the eye, the felly of a wheel; cf. W. cant the stake or
   tire of a wheel. Cf. {Canthus}, {Canton}, {Cantle}.]
   1. A corner; angle; niche. [Obs.]

            The first and principal person in the temple was
            Irene, or Peace; she was placed aloft in a cant.
                                                  --B. Jonson.

   2. An outer or external angle.

   3. An inclination from a horizontal or vertical line; a slope
      or bevel; a titl. --Totten.

   4. A sudden thrust, push, kick, or other impulse, producing a
      bias or change of direction; also, the bias or turn so
      give; as, to give a ball a cant.

   5. (Coopering) A segment forming a side piece in the head of
      a cask. --Knight.

   6. (Mech.) A segment of he rim of a wooden cogwheel.
      --Knight.

   7. (Naut.) A piece of wood laid upon the deck of a vessel to
      support the bulkheads.

   {Cant frames}, {Cant timbers} (Naut.), timber at the two ends
      of a ship, rising obliquely from the keel.