descant

[n., adj. des-kant; v. des-kant, dis-] /n., adj. ˈdɛs kænt; v. dɛsˈkænt, dɪs-/
noun
1.
Music.
  1. a melody or counterpoint accompanying a simple musical theme and usually written above it.
  2. (in part music) the soprano.
  3. a song or melody.
2.
a variation upon anything; comment on a subject.
adjective
3.
Music (chiefly British)
  1. soprano:
    a descant recorder.
  2. treble:
    a descant viol.
verb (used without object)
4.
Music. to sing.
5.
to comment or discourse at great length.
Also, discant.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English discant, descaunt < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin discanthus, equivalent to Latin dis- dis-1 + cantus song; see chant
Related forms
descanter, noun
Examples from the web for descant
  • Shakes his bright plumes, and trills his descant free.
  • Plan an accompaniment such as a descant or rhythmic part to be used in performance of repertoire.
  • Most stagecoach drivers liked to descant to the customers, but in a vein of bold invention.
  • Create a descant or ostinato to a previously learned melody.
  • Hut it would ill become me te descant upon your duties, or the possibilities within your reach.
British Dictionary definitions for descant

descant

noun (ˈdɛskænt; ˈdɪs-)
1.
Also discant. a decorative counterpoint added above a basic melody
2.
a comment, criticism, or discourse
adjective (ˈdɛskænt; ˈdɪs-)
3.
Also discant. of or pertaining to the highest member in common use of a family of musical instruments: a descant recorder
verb (intransitive) (dɛsˈkænt; dɪs-)
4.
Also discant, often foll by on or upon. to compose or perform a descant (for a piece of music)
5.
often foll by on or upon. to discourse at length or make varied comments
Derived Forms
descanter, noun
Word Origin
C14: from Old Northern French, from Medieval Latin discantus, from Latin dis-1 + cantus song; see chant
Word Origin and History for descant
n.

late 14c., from Old North French descant (Old French deschant), from Medieval Latin discantus "refrain, part-song," from Latin dis- "asunder, apart" (see dis-) + cantus "song" (see chant). Spelling was partly Latinized 16c. Originally "counterpoint."

v.

mid-15c.; see descant (n.). Sense of "to comment at length" is first attested 1640s.

Encyclopedia Article for descant

(from Latin discantus, "song apart"), countermelody either composed or improvised above a familiar melody. Descant can also refer to an instrument of higher-than-normal pitch, such as a descant recorder. In late medieval music, discantus referred to a particular style of organum featuring one or more countermelodies added to a newly rhythmicized plainsong melody. Discantus in this sense is usually spelled discant in English translation

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