Canterbury \Can"ter*bur*y\, n.

1. A city in England, giving its name various articles. It is the seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury (primate of all England), and contains the shrine of Thomas [`a] Becket, to which pilgrimages were formerly made.

2. A stand with divisions in it for holding music, loose papers, etc.

Canterbury ball (Bot.), a species of Campanula of several varieties, cultivated for its handsome bell-shaped flowers.

Canterbury gallop, a gentle gallop such as was used by pilgrims riding to Canterbury; a canter.

Canterbury tale, one of the tales which Chaucer puts into the mouths of certain pilgrims to Canterbury. Hence, any tale told by travelers to pass away the time.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)