[f. CANT v.2 + -ING1.] The action of the vb. CANT; tilting, sloping, turning over or about. a. trans. b. intr.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), Canting … the act of turning any thing about.
c. 1850. Rudim. Navig. (Weale), 105. Canting, the act of turning anything completely over, so that the under surface shall lie upwards.
1865. Specif. Plimpton’s Patent No. 2190. These springs … control the turning, tilting, or canting of the stock or foot stand [of the roller skate].
1865. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., III. X. v. 262. Friedrich Wilhelm is amazed at these sudden cantings of Fortune’s wheel.
† c. (See quot.) Obs.
1674. N. Fairfax, Bulk & Selv., 102. It cannot well be call’d motion … But ’tis somewhat else that we have no right name for, (unless skipping or canting may in a low sort speak it).
