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chants - 2 dictionary results

chant

  [chant, chahnt]
Use chants in a Sentence
–noun
1. a short, simple melody, esp. one characterized by single notes to which an indefinite number of syllables are intoned, used in singing psalms, canticles, etc., in church services.
2. a psalm, canticle, or the like, chanted or for chanting.
3. the singing or intoning of all or portions of a liturgical service.
4. any monotonous song.
5. a song; singing: the chant of a bird.
6. a monotonous intonation of the voice in speaking.
7. a phrase, slogan, or the like, repeated rhythmically and insistently, as by a crowd.
–verb (used with object)
8. to sing to a chant, or in the manner of a chant, esp. in a church service.
9. to sing.
10. to celebrate in song.
11. to repeat (a phrase, slogan, etc.) rhythmically and insistently.
–verb (used without object)
12. to sing.
13. to utter a chant.
Origin:
1350–1400; (v.) ME chanten < MF chanter < L cantāre, freq. of canere to sing; (n.) < F chant < L cantus; see canto

Related forms:
chant⋅a⋅ble, adjective
chant⋅ing⋅ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To chants
chant   (chānt)   
n.  
    1. A short, simple series of syllables or words that are sung on or intoned to the same note or a limited range of notes.
    2. A canticle or prayer sung or intoned in this manner.
    3. A song or melody.
  2. A monotonous rhythmic call or shout, as of a slogan: the chant of the crowd at the rally.
v.   chant·ed, chant·ing, chants

v.   tr.
  1. To sing or intone to a chant: chant a prayer.
  2. To celebrate in song: chanting a hero's deeds.
  3. To say in the manner of a chant: chanted defiant slogans.
v.   intr.
  1. To sing, especially in the manner of a chant: chanted while a friend jumped rope.
  2. To speak monotonously.

[Probably from French, song, from Old French, from Latin cantus, from past participle of canere, to sing. V., from Middle English chaunten, to sing, from Old French chanter, from Latin cantāre, frequentative of canere; see kan- in Indo-European roots.]
chant'ing·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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