chanticleer

[ chan-tuh-kleer ]
See synonyms for chanticleer on Thesaurus.com
nounNow Literary.
  1. a rooster: used as a proper name in medieval fables.

Origin of chanticleer

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English Chauntecler, from Old French Chantecler noun use of verb phrase chante cler “sing clear.” See chant, clear
  • Also chan·te·cler [chan-tuh-klair]. /ˈtʃæn təˌklɛər/.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use chanticleer in a sentence

  • These creatures were not offered up as sacrifices, but were chanticleers to give notice of day-break and the rising of the sun.

    The Religions of Japan | William Elliot Griffis
  • On her arm was a basket, in which were two young chanticleers crowing lustily.

  • Chanticleers in the town crowed roupily and ruefully for months thereafter.

    Bud | Neil Munro
  • A splendid cock stood on the wall, and crowed so loud and clear that all the neighboring chanticleers replied.

    Aunt Jo's Scrap-Bag VI | Louisa M. Alcott
  • There was one woman who complained especially about being disturbed by early-morning Chanticleers.

    Outwitting Our Nerves | Josephine A. Jackson and Helen M. Salisbury

British Dictionary definitions for chanticleer

chanticleer

chantecler (ˌtʃæntɪˈklɛə)

/ (ˌtʃæntɪˈklɪə) /


noun
  1. a name for a cock, used esp in fables

Origin of chanticleer

1
C13: from Old French Chantecler, from chanter cler to sing clearly

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012