Song (s&obreve;ng; 115), n. [AS. song, sang, fr.
singan to sing; akin to D.
zang, G. sang, Icel.
söngr, Goth.
saggws. See Sing.]
1. That which is
sung or uttered with musical modulations of the voice,
whether of a human being
or of a bird, insect, etc. "That most ethereal of all sounds, the song of crickets."
Hawthorne.
2. A
lyrical poem adapted to vocal music; a ballad.
3. More generally, any poetical strain; a poem.
The
bard that first adorned our native tongue
Tuned to his British lyre this ancient song.
Dryden.
4. Poetical composition; poetry; verse.
This subject for heroic song.
Milton.
5. An object of derision; a laughingstock.
And now am I their song, yea, I
am their byword.
Job xxx.
9. 6. A trifle. "The soldier's pay
is a song." Silliman.
Old song, a trifle; nothing of value. "I do not intend
to be thus put off with
an old song." Dr. H. More. -- Song bird (Zoöl.), any singing bird; one of the Oscines. -- Song sparrow (Zoöl.), a very common North American sparrow (Melospiza fasciata, or M. melodia) noted for the
sweetness of its song in early spring. Its breast is
covered with dusky brown streaks which form a
blotch in the center. -- Song thrush (Zoöl.), a common European thrush (Turdus
musicus), noted for its melodius song; -- called also mavis, throstle, and thrasher.
Syn. -- Sonnet; ballad; canticle; carol; canzonet; ditty; hymn; descant; lay; strain; poesy; verse.
Hear it pronounced