Definitions for: Canter


[n] a smooth 3-beat gait; between a trot and a gallop
[v] ride at a canter; "The men cantered away"
[v] ride at a cantering pace; "He cantered the horse across the meadow"
[v] go at a canter, of horses



Webster (1913) Definition: Can"ter, n. [An abbreviation of Caner bury. See
Canterbury gallop, under Canterbury.]
1. A moderate and easy gallop adapted to pleasure riding.

Note: 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.

Synonyms: lope

See Also: gait, pace, ride, ride horseback, sit

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