An Etymological Dictionary of the German Language/Kante

by Friedrich Kluge

Kante, f., ‘sharp edge, border, margin, fine lace,’ ModHG. only, from LG. kante, ‘edge, corner’; the latter, like E. cant, ‘corner, edge,’ which is also unknown to the earlier periods of the language, is derived from Fr. cant, ‘corner,’ which, with Ital. canto, is said to be based finally on Gr. κάνθος, ‘felloe of a wheel.’