descanter


des·cant

D0155800 (dĕs′kănt′)n.1. also dis·cant (dĭs′-) Music a. An ornamental melody or counterpoint sung or played above a theme.b. The highest part sung in part music.2. A discussion or discourse on a theme.intr.v. (dĕs′kănt′, dĕ-skănt′) des·cant·ed, des·cant·ing, des·cants 1. To comment at length; discourse: "He used to descant critically on the dishes which had been at table" (James Boswell).2. also dis·cant (dĭs′kănt′, dĭ-skănt′) Music a. To sing or play a descant.b. To sing melodiously.
[Middle English, from Anglo-Norman descaunt, from Medieval Latin discantus, a refrain : Latin dis-, dis- + Latin cantus, song (from past participle of canere, to sing; see kan- in Indo-European roots).]
des′cant′er n.