Chant (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Chanting.] [F. chanter, fr. L. cantare, intens. of canere to sing. Cf. Cant affected speaking, and see Hen.]
1.
To utter with a melodious voice; to sing.
The cheerful birds . . . do chant sweet music.
Spenser.
2.
To celebrate in song.
The poets chant in the theaters.
Bramhall.
3. Mus.
To sing or recite after the manner of a chant, or to a tune called a chant.
© Webster 1913.
Chant, v. i.
1.
To make melody with the voice; to sing.
"
Chant to the sound of the viol."
Amos vi. 5.
2. Mus.
To sing, as in reciting a chant.
To chant (∨ chaunt) [horses[, to sing their praise; to overpraise; to cheat in selling. See Chaunter.
Thackeray.
© Webster 1913.
Chant, n.[F. chant, fr. L. cantus singing, song, fr. canere to sing. See Chant, v. t.]
1.
Song; melody.
2. Mus.
A short and simple melody, divided into two parts by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music.
3.
A psalm, etc., arranged for chanting.
4.
Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone.
[R.]
His strange face, his strange chant.
Macaulay.
Ambrosian chant, See under Ambrosian. Chant royal [F.], in old French poetry, a poem containing five strophes of eleven lines each, and a concluding stanza. -- each of these six parts ending with a common refrain. -- Gregorian chant. See under Gregorian.
© Webster 1913.