lilt
[ lilt ]
/ lɪlt /
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.
Nearby words
Origin of lilt
1300–50; Middle English lulte; perhaps akin to Dutch lul pipe, lullen to lull
Related formslilt·ing·ly, adverblilt·ing·ness, noun
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for lilted
British Dictionary definitions for lilted
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 Formslilting, adjective
Word Origin for lilt
C14 lulten, origin obscure
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Word Origin and History for lilted
lilt
1510s, "to lift up" (the voice), probably from late 14c. West Midlands dialect lulten "to sound an alarm," of unknown origin. Possible relatives include Norwegian lilla "to sing" and Low German lul "pipe." It is possible that the whole loose group is imitative. Sense of "sing in a light manner" is first recorded 1786. Related: Lilted; lilting. As a noun, 1728, "lilting song," from the verb. As "rhythmical cadence," 1840.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper