Nearby Words

descanted

[n., adj. des-kant; v. des-kant, dis-] Origin

des·cant

[n., adj. des-kant; v. des-kant, dis-]
noun
1.
Music.
a.
a melody or counterpoint accompanying a simple musical theme and usually written above it.
b.
(in part music) the soprano.
c.
a song or melody.
2.
a variation upon anything; comment on a subject.
adjective
3.
Music (chiefly British).
a.
soprano: a descant recorder.
b.
treble: a descant viol.

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Descanted is always a great word to know.
So is zedonk. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
the offspring of a zebra and a donkey.
verb (used without object)
4.
Music. to sing.
5.
to comment or discourse at great length.
Also, discant.


Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English discant, descaunt < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin discanthus, equivalent to Latin dis- dis-1 + cantus song; see chant

des·cant·er, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

descant
late 14c., from Anglo-Fr. deschaunt, from M.L. discantus "refrain, part-song," from L. dis- "asunder, apart" + cantus "song." Spelling was partly Latinized 16c. Originally "counterpoint;" sense of "talk at length" is first attested 1640s.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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