Category:Chant

Chant, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Chanting.] Etym: [F. chanter, fr. L. cantare, intens. of canere to sing. Cf. Cant affected speaking, and see Hen.]

1. To utter with a melodious voice; to sing. The cheerful birds. . . do chant sweet music. Spenser.

2. To celebrate in song. The poets chant in the theaters. Bramhall.

3. (Mus.)

Defn: To sing or recite after the manner of a chant, or to a tune called a chant.

chant Chant, v. i.

1. To make melody with the voice; to sing. "Chant to the sound of the viol." Amos vi. 5.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: To sing, as in reciting a chant. To chant (or chaunt) horses, to sing their praise; to overpraise; to cheat in selling. See Chaunter. Thackeray.

chant Chant, n.Etym: [F. chant, fr. L. cantus singing, song, fr. canere to sing. See Chant, v. t.]

1. Song; melody.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: A short and simple melody, divided into two parts by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music.

3. A psalm, etc., arranged for chanting.

4. Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone. [R.] His strange face, his strange chant. Macaulay. Ambrosian chant, See under Ambrosian. Chant royal Etym: [F.], in old French poetry, a poem containing five strophes of eleven lines each, and a concluding stanza. -- each of these six parts ending with a common refrain. -- Gregorian chant. See under Gregorian.