chanson de geste

[shahn-sawn duh zhest]

noun, plural chan·sons de geste

[shahn-sawn duh zhest] /ʃɑ̃ sɔ̃ də ˈʒɛst/.

(in medieval French literature) an epic poem written in assonant verse or rhyme about historical or legendary events or figures.

Origin of chanson de geste

1865–70; < French: literally, song of deeds; see chanson, gest

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

British Dictionary definitions for chanson de geste

chanson de geste

noun

one of a genre of Old French epic poems celebrating heroic deeds, the most famous of which is the Chanson de Roland

Word Origin for chanson de geste

literally: song of exploits

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