chant

Obsolete, chaunt

[chant, chahnt]

noun

1. a short, simple melody, especially one characterized by single notes to which an indefinite number of syllables are intoned, used in singing psalms, canticles, etc., in church services.

2. a psalm, canticle, or the like, chanted or for chanting.

3. the singing or intoning of all or portions of a liturgical service.

4. any monotonous song.

5. a song; singing.

   the chant of a bird.

6. a monotonous intonation of the voice in speaking.

7. a phrase, slogan, or the like, repeated rhythmically and insistently, as by a crowd.

verb (used with object)

1. to sing to a chant, or in the manner of a chant, especially in a church service.

2. to sing.

3. to celebrate in song.

4. to repeat (a phrase, slogan, etc.) rhythmically and insistently.

verb (used without object)

1. to sing.

2. to utter a chant.

chant

/ tʃɑːnt /

noun

1. a simple song or melody

2. a short simple melody in which several words or syllables are assigned to one note, as in the recitation of psalms

3. a psalm or canticle performed by using such a melody

4. a rhythmic or repetitious slogan, usually spoken or sung, as by sports supporters, etc

5. monotonous or singsong intonation in speech

verb

1. to sing or recite (a psalm, prayer, etc) as a chant

2. to intone (a slogan) rhythmically or repetitiously

3. to speak or say monotonously as if intoning a chant

Other Word Forms

• chantingly adverb
• chanting noun
• chantable adjective
• half-chanted adjective
• unchanted adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of chant¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (verb) Middle English chanten, from Middle French chanter, from Latin cantāre, frequentative of canere “to sing”; (noun) from French chant, from Latin cantus; canto

Word History and Origins

Origin of chant¹

C14: from Old French chanter to sing, from Latin cantāre, frequentative of canere to sing

Example Sentences

But on this night, things took a dark turn when dozens of men joined the crowd, chanting, “White men fight back.”

From Los Angeles Times

“We want Skip!” the players chanted in the locker room last November after a victory over Colorado State that made them eligible for a bowl game.

From Los Angeles Times

He was unconscious for about 20 minutes, he said, and groggily awoke to what sounded like chanting: “One, two, three, four, five” — long breath — “one, two, three, four, five.”

From Los Angeles Times

He also received a standing ovation and rapturous chants of "Stephen, Stephen!"

From BBC

First presenter Stephen Colbert followed immediately to a standing ovation and chants of his name.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• hymn 
• mantra 
• melody 
• shout 
• singing www.thesaurus.com
• tune