canter
UK[ˈkæntə(r)]US[ˈkæntər]
n
a pace of a horse that is faster than a trot but slower than a gallop, with a three-beat rhythm.
v
(of a horse) to move at a canter; to make a horse move at a canter.
Etymology
the word 'canter' is a shortened form of the phrase 'canterbury pace' or 'canterbury gallop,' originating in the early 18th century. it referred to the steady, easy pace supposedly adopted by pilgrims riding to the shrine of thomas beckett in canterbury, england. the term was a contraction of 'canterbury,' the destination, which itself derives from the old english 'cantwareburh,' meaning 'fortified town of the people of kent.' through this association, the specific, moderate pace of the pilgrims' horses became lexicalized into the verb and noun we use today for that particular three-beat horse gait.
Analysis
this word is a simplex form derived from a contraction and does not contain separable morphemes in modern english.
Examples
the horse broke into a smooth canter across the open field.
she cantered the pony around the ring to warm up before the jump.
we enjoyed a leisurely canter along the beach at sunset.