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.
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.