chanson de geste

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

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.

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Origin of chanson de geste

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

Words nearby chanson de geste

channing, chanoyo, chanoyu, chanson, chanson d'amour, chanson de geste, chanson de roland, chansonette, chansonnier, chant, chant de guerre pour l'armée du rhin
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

British Dictionary definitions for chanson de geste

chanson de geste
/ French (ʃɑ̃sɔ̃ də ʒɛst) /

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