noun
Meaning 1
A lengthy discourse on a subject.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Standard Lemma guide
descant
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Pronunciation
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
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UK: /ˈdɛskænt/
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Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
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rhymes with -ænt
noun
Meaning 2
A counterpoint melody sung or played above the theme.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 3
To discuss at length.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Meaning 4
To sing or play a descant.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: intransitive
Topics: entertainment, lifestyle, music
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
noun
Meaning 5
a decorative musical accompaniment (often improvised) added above a basic melody
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: discant
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: accompaniment, musical accompaniment, backup, support
verb
Meaning 6
talk at great length about something of one's interest
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: discourse, talk about, discuss
verb
Meaning 7
sing by changing register; sing by yodeling
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
Examples
- The Austrians were yodeling in the mountains
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: yodel, warble
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sing
verb
Meaning 8
sing in descant
Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Meaning relationships
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
Broader terms: sing
History
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman descaunt, from Medieval Latin discantus. Doublet of discant.
Across languages
Translations
3 source translations are retained for this English entry.
- French: déchant — counterpoint melody
- German: Diskant — counterpoint melody
- French: déchanter — to sing or play a descant