1. Political Divisions:
* Cantons are the political subdivisions of Switzerland. They are like states in the United States or provinces in Canada. Each canton has its own government, constitution, and laws.
* There are 26 cantons in Switzerland, and each canton has a unique history, culture, and language.
2. Musical Term:
* Cantus (also called "cantus firmus") refers to a pre-existing melody that is used as a basis for a composition. It is typically a very simple melody that is sung or played by one voice or instrument.
* This term is more often used in choral music, especially in the Renaissance period.
To understand which meaning of "cantons" is intended, you need to consider the context in which the word is used. If the text is discussing Switzerland, then it likely refers to the political subdivisions. If the text is about music, then it likely refers to the musical term.