Library / English Dictionary

DESCANT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

A decorative musical accompaniment (often improvised) added above a basic melody

Synonyms:

descant; discant

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Hypernyms ("descant" is a kind of...):

accompaniment; backup; musical accompaniment; support (a musical part (vocal or instrumental) that supports or provides background for other musical parts)

Derivation:

descant (sing by changing register; sing by yodeling)

descant (sing in descant)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Talk at great length about something of one's interest

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "descant" is one way to...):

discourse; discuss; talk about (to consider or examine in speech or writing)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue descant

Sense 2

Meaning:

Sing by changing register; sing by yodeling

Example:

The Austrians were yodeling in the mountains

Synonyms:

descant; warble; yodel

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Hypernyms (to "descant" is one way to...):

sing (produce tones with the voice)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Sentence example:

Sam and Sue descant

Derivation:

descant (a decorative musical accompaniment (often improvised) added above a basic melody)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Sing in descant

Classified under:

Verbs of sewing, baking, painting, performing

Hypernyms (to "descant" is one way to...):

sing (produce tones with the voice)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

descant (a decorative musical accompaniment (often improvised) added above a basic melody)

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