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cantillation

British  
/ ˌkæntɪˈleɪʃən /

noun

  1. the traditional notation representing the various traditional Jewish melodies to which scriptural passages are chanted

  2. chanting or intonation

"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

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.

The music is also an amalgam, taking in the influence of Jewish cantillation, traditional choral styles, gospel, mariachi, pop, blues and 12-tone music.

From New York Times • Feb. 24, 2023

This energy seems to have invaded the song, and the cantillation of the mele is said to have been done in that energetic manner called ai-ha'a.

From Unwritten Literature of Hawaii The Sacred Songs of the Hula by Emerson, Nathaniel Bright

They guide the modulated flow of the voice in cantillation, thus serving, in a certain sense, as musical notes.

From Companion to the Bible by Barrows, E. P. (Elijah Porter)

The feature that most interests us is the singing, or cantillation, of the oli.

From Unwritten Literature of Hawaii The Sacred Songs of the Hula by Emerson, Nathaniel Bright

Most of those with whom the writer has talked are inclined to the view that the ancient cantillation was not in any sense part-singing as now practised.

From Unwritten Literature of Hawaii The Sacred Songs of the Hula by Emerson, Nathaniel Bright

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