canter

Etymology 1

Short for Canterbury pace, from the supposed easy pace of medieval pilgrims to Canterbury.

noun

1. A gait of a horse between a trot and a gallop, consisting of three beats and a "suspension" phase, where there are no feet on the ground. Also describing this gait on other four-legged animals.
2. A ride on a horse at such speed.

verb

1. (intransitive) To move at such pace.
2. (transitive) To cause to move at a canter; to ride (a horse) at a canter.

Etymology 2

cant + -er

noun

1. One who cants or whines; a beggar.
2. One who makes hypocritical pretensions to goodness; one who uses canting language.
   From lawn-sleeved ranters to kerbstone canters, From bishops to Army lasses. 1974, Bill Wannan, With Malice Aforethought, page 85