Category:Canto

Can"to, n.; pl. Cantos. Etym: [It. canto, fr. L. cantus singing, song. See Chant.]

1. One of the chief divisions of a long poem; a book.

2. (Mus.)

Defn: The highest vocal part; the air or melody in choral music; anciently the tenor, now the soprano. Canto fermo ( Etym: [It.] (Mus.), the plain ecclesiastical chant in cathedral service; the plain song.