descant

(des′kant′; for v., also des kant′)

noun

Medieval Music
1. two-part singing in which there is a fixed, known melody and an additional but subordinate melody that is higher in pitch
2. this added upper melody
3. the highest voice in polyphonic singing, as the treble or soprano
a varied song or melody
Origin: < the v.
a comment; criticism; discourse

Origin: ME < Anglo-Fr deschaunt & ML discantus < L dis-, from, apart + cantus, song: see chant

intransitive verb

Origin: ME discanten < the n.

See descant in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

also dis·cant (dĭsˈ-) Music
a. An ornamental melody or counterpoint sung or played above a theme.
b. The highest part sung in part music.
A discussion or discourse on a theme.

intransitive verb (dĕsˈkăntˌ, dĕ-skăntˈ) des·cant·ed, des·cant·ing, des·cants

To comment at length; discourse: “He used to descant critically on the dishes which had been at table” (James Boswell).
also dis·cant (dĭsˈkăntˌ, dĭ-skăntˈ) Music
a. To sing or play a descant.
b. To sing melodiously.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman descaunt

Origin: , from Medieval Latin discantus, a refrain

Origin: : Latin dis-, dis-

Origin: + Latin cantus, song

Origin: , from

Origin: past participle of canere, to sing; see kan- in Indo-European roots

Related Forms: