lilt
[ lilt ]
/ lɪlt /
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noun
rhythmic swing or cadence.
a lilting song or tune.
verb (used with or without object)
to sing or play in a light, tripping, or rhythmic manner.
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Origin of lilt
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English verb lilte, lulte “to sound an alarm; lift up (one's voice)”; perhaps akin to Dutch, Low German lul “pipe,” lullen “to lull,” Norwegian lilla “to sing,” of imitative origin
OTHER WORDS FROM lilt
lilt·ing·ly, adverblilt·ing·ness, nounDictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use lilt in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for lilt
lilt
/ (lɪlt) /
noun
(in music) a jaunty rhythm
a buoyant motion
verb (intr)
(of a melody) to have a lilt
to move in a buoyant manner
Derived forms of lilt
lilting, adjectiveWord Origin for lilt
C14 lulten, origin obscure
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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