To start (a hymn, etc.) for others to take up.

transitive. To begin to sing (a song, esp. a psalm or hymn); spec. (Scottish) to lead the singing of (a psalm) in church.

transitive. To lead the singing of (a psalm, etc.).

To set or start the tune for (a hymn, etc. in public worship), as a precentor. Obsolete.

To read out (a metrical psalm, a hymn) line by line for the congregation to sing. Also to line out.

transitive. U.S. regional. To provide the key for singing (a hymn). rare.