descant
1 of 2noun
des·cant ˈde-ˌskant 
variants or less commonly discant
ˈdi-ˌskant
1
a
: a melody or counterpoint sung above the plainsong of the tenor
b
: the art of composing or improvising contrapuntal part music
also : the music so composed or improvised
c
: soprano, treble
d
: a superimposed counterpoint to a simple melody sung typically by some or all of the sopranos
2
: discourse or comment on a theme
descant
2 of 2verb
des·cant ˈdes-ˌkant de-ˈskant
de-ˈskant di-ˈskant
descanted; descanting; descants
intransitive verb
1
: to sing or play a descant
broadly : sing
2
: comment, discourse
Did you know?
The prefix des-, meaning "two" or "apart", indicates that the descant is a "second song" apart from the main melody. In popular songs a descant will often be sung at the very end to produce a thrilling climax.
Synonyms
Verb
- declaim
- discourse
- expatiate
- harangue
- lecture
- orate
- speak
- talk
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Verb an English professor who loves to descant on his beloved Shakespeare the world-famous soprano descanted above the melody line
Recent Examples on the Web
Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2022 This is a dark and defensive descant to a more substantial and necessary conversation about whiteness in America. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 3 July 2019
Noun
The Hynde storyline, which includes her messing around with songs on an acoustic guitar, runs as a kind of descant against the personal and professional noise of the Pistols. Robert Lloyd, Los Angeles Times, 31 May 2022 This is a dark and defensive descant to a more substantial and necessary conversation about whiteness in America. Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 3 July 2019 Word History
Etymology
Noun
Middle English dyscant, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French descaunt, from Medieval Latin discantus, from Latin dis- + cantus song — more at chant
First Known Use
Noun
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Verb
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
descant 1 of 2
verb
1
as in to speak
to give a formal often extended talk on a subject an English professor who loves to descant on his beloved Shakespeare Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- speak
- lecture
- declaim
- discourse
- talk
- expatiate
- harangue
- hold forth
- orate
- dissert
- soliloquize
- sermonize
- recite
- expound
- take the floor
- pontificate
- mouth
- spout
- filibuster
2
as in to chant
to produce musical sounds with the voice the world-famous soprano descanted above the melody line Synonyms & Similar Words
- chant
- sing
- carol
- trill
- lilt
- hum
- warble
- sharp
- quaver
- vocalize
- serenade
- scat
- croon
- yodel
- harmonize
- troll
- slur
- belt
descant
2 of 2noun
variants also discant
1
as in chorus
Synonyms & Similar Words
- chorus
- madrigal
- motet
- roundelay
- aria
- lullaby
- ditty
- carol
- chantey
- serenade
- chant
- pop
- ballad
- hymn
- vocal
- canticle
- chanty
- cantata
- chorale
- lyric
- psalm
- chanson
- solo
- croon
- round
- barcarolle
- dirge
- glee
- lay
- shanty
- blues
- anthem
- jingle
- standard
- threnody
- art song
- folk song
- spiritual
- rocker
- requiem
- song
- paean
- noel
- lament
- barcarole
- hallelujah
- part-song
- medley
- fight song
- drinking song
- torch song
- remix
- cover
2
as in remark
Synonyms & Similar Words
- remark
- observation
- explication
- note
- annotation
- commentary
- review
- analysis
- report
- exposition
- comment
- write-up
- play-by-play
- broad aisle
- broad alley
- broad arrow
- broad bean
- broad beech fern
- Broad Church
- Broad Churchman
- broad command pennant
- broad fold
- broad form
- broad gage
- broad glass
- broad goods
- broad hatchet
- broad irrigation
- broad jump
- broad jumper
- broad knife
- broad mite
- broad off
- broad on
- broad pennant
- broad Scotch
- broad seal
- broad shad