descant
[ noun, adjective des-kant; verb des-kant, dis- ]
/ noun, adjective ˈdɛs kænt; verb dɛsˈkænt, dɪs- /
Save This Word!
noun
Music.
- a melody or counterpoint accompanying a simple musical theme and usually written above it.
- (in part music) the soprano.
- a song or melody.
a variation upon anything; comment on a subject.
adjective
Music (chiefly British).
- soprano: a descant recorder.
- treble: a descant viol.
verb (used without object)
Music. to sing.
to comment or discourse at great length.
QUIZ
TEST YOUR MERIT ON THESE NEW WORDS IN 2021
The Dictionary added new words and definition to our vast collection, and we want to see how well-versed you are in the formally recognized new lingo. Take the quiz!
Question 1 of 8
What does JEDI stand for?
Meet Grammar CoachImprove Your Writing
Also discant.
Origin of descant
OTHER WORDS FROM descant
des·cant·er, nounWords nearby descant
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use descant in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for descant
descant
noun (ˈdɛskænt, ˈdɪs-)
Also: discant a decorative counterpoint added above a basic melody
a comment, criticism, or discourse
adjective (ˈdɛskænt, ˈdɪs-)
Also: discant of or pertaining to the highest member in common use of a family of musical instrumentsa descant recorder
verb (dɛsˈkænt, dɪs-) (intr)
Also: discant (often foll by on or upon) to compose or perform a descant (for a piece of music)
(often foll by on or upon) to discourse at length or make varied comments
Derived forms of descant
descanter, nounWord Origin for descant
C14: from Old Northern French, from Medieval Latin discantus, from Latin dis- 1 + cantus song; see chant
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