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chant definition

chant (c̸hant, c̸hänt)

noun

  1. a song; melody
    1. a simple liturgical song in which a string of syllables or words is sung to each tone
    2. words, as of a canticle or psalm, to be sung in this way
    1. a monotonous tone of voice; singsong mode of speaking
    2. anything uttered in this way

Etymology: Fr < L cantus, song < the v.

intransitive verb

  1. to sing a chant; intone
  2. to say something monotonously or repetitiously
  3. Old Poet. to sing; warble

Etymology: ME chanten < OFr chanter, canter < L cantare, freq. of canere, to sing < IE base *kan-, to sing, sound > hen, Gr kanachē, sound, noise, Bret cana, sing, Ger hahn

transitive verb

  1. to utter, sing, or recite in the manner of a chant
  2. Old Poet. to sing or to celebrate in song

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