Swiss canton
1
6.7
- noun
:
cantón suizo
- The Swiss cantons are probably the closest thing in the West today, but contemporary Afghanistan is much closer still.
Examples
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Each Swiss canton has its own government and laws, reflecting the diversity of the country.
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For instance, studies show that Swiss cantons with higher levels of democratic participation present lower tax evasion rates, even when controlling for other factors.
Blog text (8) -
The Swiss canton of Zurich is known for its vibrant culture and economic activity.
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During my visit, I learned that the Swiss canton of Vaud boasts beautiful lakes and mountains.
Synonyms
4
6.9
A small area of a country that has its own local government
How Big
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase is a straightforward adjective + noun composition: 'Swiss' specifies the country and 'canton' denotes a local political division, so the combined meaning ('a canton of Switzerland') is directly derivable from the parts. This is a transparent, cross-linguistically common compositional pattern that a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand.
Etymology
The term Swiss canton may come from an old word for a 'corner' or small district, so a canton was like a local corner of the country with its own rules. That's why a Swiss canton today means one of Switzerland's regions that can make many of its own laws.