cantillate
Americanverb (used with object)
verb
-
to chant (passages of the Hebrew Scriptures) according to the traditional Jewish melody
-
to intone or chant
Other Word Forms
- cantillation noun
Etymology
Origin of cantillate
1860–65; < Late Latin cantillātus sung low, hummed (past participle of cantillāre ), equivalent to cant- sing ( cant 1 ) + -ill- diminutive suffix + -ātus -ate 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Despite the vast altars on which networks make gruesome sacrifices while cantillating to their gods, neither of these shows will last forever.
From New York Times
Standing in a tight circle the entire playing, coaching and support staff cantillate the words as if coming from the depths of their soul, a paean to their forebears.
From The Guardian
A lady of pleasing appearance, attired in a mollified Pierrot costume, stood before some Japanese screens and began to intone—to cantillate, would be a better expression.
From Project Gutenberg
Then came another period of dance and song; and then, having cantillated a pule hoonoa, to lift the tabu, the kumu went forth to his own ceremonial cleansing bath in the sea.
From Project Gutenberg
Now and then she would add her own low tones to our untrained vocalizing, crooning or cantillating the tune as if she were musing aloud.
From Project Gutenberg
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
