proper noun/kɑ̃.tɔ̃.d(ə).l‿ɛst/
The Eastern Townships (“Estrie”)
Synonyms: Estrie, les Cantons
Related: Cantonnier, cantonnier
From canton (“political territorial subdivision”) + est. Calque of English Eastern Townships. From English eastern + township. From being Loyalist townships set up to the east of Montreal, in the British North America colony, the Province of Quebec, to handle refugees from Revolutionary persecution and expulsion resulting from the Continentals' revolt during the American War of Independence.