Chant , n.[F. chant, fr. L. cantus singing, song, fr. canere to sing. See Chant, v. t.]
1. Song; melody.
2. (Mus.) A short and simple melody, divided into two parts by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are
sung or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music.
3. A psalm, etc., arranged for chanting.
4. Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone. [R.]
His strange face, his strange chant.
Macaulay.
Ambrosian chant, See under Ambrosian. Chant royal [F.], in old French
poetry, a poem containing five strophes of eleven lines each, and a
concluding stanza. -- each of these six
parts ending with a common refrain. -- Gregorian chant. See under Gregorian.
Chant , v. i. 1. To
make melody with the voice; to sing. "Chant to the sound
of the viol." Amos vi. 5.
2.
(Mus.) To sing, as in
reciting a chant.
To chant (or chaunt) horses,
to sing their praise; to overpraise; to cheat in
selling. See Chaunter. Thackeray.
Chant (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chanted;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Chanting.]
[F. chanter, fr. L.
cantare, intens. of canere to sing. Cf. Cant affected speaking, and see Hen.] 1.
To utter with a melodious voice; to sing.
The cheerful birds . . . do chant sweet music.
Spenser.
2. To celebrate in song.
The poets chant in the theaters.
Bramhall.
3. (Mus.) To sing or recite after the manner of
a chant, or
to a tune
called a chant.
Hear it pronounced