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descant

des·cant
D d

Transcription

    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • UK Pronunciation
    • UK IPA
    • [noun, adjective des-kant; verb des-kant, dis-]
    • /noun, adjective ˈdɛs kænt; verb dɛsˈkænt, dɪs-/
    • /ˈdes.kænt/
    • US Pronunciation
    • US IPA
    • [noun, adjective des-kant; verb des-kant, dis-]
    • /noun, adjective ˈdɛs kænt; verb dɛsˈkænt, dɪs-/

Definitions of descant word

  • countable noun descant A descant is a tune which is played or sung above the main tune in a piece of music. 3
  • noun descant a decorative counterpoint added above a basic melody 3
  • noun descant a comment, criticism, or discourse 3
  • adjective descant of or pertaining to the highest member in common use of a family of musical instruments 3
  • verb descant to compose or perform a descant (for a piece of music) 3
  • verb descant to discourse at length or make varied comments 3

Information block about the term

Origin of descant

First appearance:

before 1350
One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English discant, descaunt < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin discanthus, equivalent to Latin dis- dis-1 + cantus song; see chant

Historical Comparancy

Parts of speech for Descant

noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation

descant popularity

A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 73% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
This word is included in each student's vocabulary. Most likely there is at least one movie with this word in the title.

descant usage trend in Literature

This diagram is provided by Google Ngram Viewer

Synonyms for descant

noun descant

  • comment — If you comment on something, you give your opinion about it or you give an explanation for it.
  • criticism — the analysis or evaluation of a work of art, literature, etc
  • discussion — an act or instance of discussing; consideration or examination by argument, comment, etc., especially to explore solutions; informal debate.
  • melody — musical sounds in agreeable succession or arrangement.
  • harmony — agreement; accord; harmonious relations.

verb descant

  • discourse — communication of thought by words; talk; conversation: earnest and intelligent discourse.
  • criticize — If you criticize someone or something, you express your disapproval of them by saying what you think is wrong with them.
  • discuss — to consider or examine by argument, comment, etc.; talk over or write about, especially to explore solutions; debate: to discuss the proposed law on taxes.
  • remark — to say casually, as in making a comment: Someone remarked that tomorrow would be a warm day.
  • criticise — criticize

Antonyms for descant

noun descant

  • quiet — making no noise or sound, especially no disturbing sound: quiet neighbors.
  • silence — absence of any sound or noise; stillness.

Top questions with descant

  • what does descant mean?
  • what does descant mean in music?
  • what is descant?
  • what is a descant?
  • what is a descant in music?
  • what is descant in music?
  • how to play descant recorder?
  • how to play the descant recorder?
  • how to write a descant?
  • what is a descant recorder?

See also

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