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.

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