Pronunciation: /ˈdɛs.kænt/

Definitions of descant

noun a melody or counterpoint sung above the plainsong of the tenor

Example Sentences

A1 I heard a descant of birdsong in the morning.

A2 The descant of the flute added a beautiful melody to the music.

B1 The descant in the choir performance was breathtaking.

B2 The descant of the opera singer filled the entire theater with emotion.

C1 The descant of the violinist was so intricate and moving.

C2 The descant of the orchestra reached a crescendo that left the audience in awe.

verb to sing or play a descant

Example Sentences

A1 She descanted on the beauty of the flowers in the garden.

A2 The tour guide descanted about the history of the ancient ruins.

B1 The professor descanted on the importance of critical thinking in education.

B2 The speaker descanted eloquently on the need for environmental conservation.

C1 The author descanted at length on the complexities of human nature in his novel.

C2 The philosopher descanted passionately on the nature of existence and consciousness.

Examples of descant in a Sentence

formal The descant in the choir added a beautiful layer of harmony to the music.

informal The descant part in the song is really fun to sing along to.

slang I love when the descant kicks in during the chorus, it gives me chills.

figurative Her words seemed to descant upon the very essence of truth.

Grammatical Forms of descant

past tense

descanted

plural

descants

comparative

more descant

superlative

most descant

present tense

descants

future tense

will descant

perfect tense

have descanted

continuous tense

is descanting

singular

descant

positive degree

descant

infinitive

to descant

gerund

descanting

participle

descanting

Origin and Evolution of descant

First Known Use: 1250 year
Language of Origin: Latin
Story behind the word: The word 'descant' originated from the Old French word 'deschant', which was derived from the Latin word 'discantus', meaning 'singing apart'.
Evolution of the word: Originally used in music to refer to a melody sung or played above a basic melody, the term 'descant' later evolved to also mean a discussion or commentary on a particular topic.