Chant

//t͡ʃænt// name, noun, verb

Definitions

Proper Noun
  1. 1
    A surname from French.
Noun
  1. 1
    Type of singing done generally without instruments and harmony.
  2. 2
    a repetitive song in which as many syllables as necessary are assigned to a single tone wordnet
  3. 3
    A short and simple melody to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited.
  4. 4
    A short and simple melody to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited.; A harmonized melody used in Anglican chant, usually split into two two-bar phrases, to which the words of a psalm are sung by a choir; typically, each musical phrase corresponds to the text of half of a verse.
  5. 5
    Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone.

    "His strange face, his strange chant."

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  1. 6
    A repetitive song, typically an incantation or part of a ritual.
Verb
  1. 1
    To sing, especially without instruments, and as applied to monophonic and pre-modern music.

    "the cherefull birds of sundry kind / Do chaunt sweet musick, to delight his mind"

  2. 2
    recite with musical intonation; recite as a chant or a psalm wordnet
  3. 3
    To sing or intone sacred text.
  4. 4
    utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically wordnet
  5. 5
    To utter or repeat in a strongly rhythmical manner, especially as a group.

    "The football fans chanted insults at the referee."

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  1. 6
    To sell horses fraudulently, exaggerating their merits. archaic, transitive

Etymology

Etymology 1

From Middle English chaunten, from Old French chanter, from Latin cantāre (“sing”). Doublet of cant.

Etymology 2

From Middle English chaunten, from Old French chanter, from Latin cantāre (“sing”). Doublet of cant.

Etymology 3

Probably a nickname from French chant (“song, melody”).

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