2. (Mus.)
Defn: To sing, as in reciting a chant. To chant (or chaunt) horses, to sing their praise; to overpraise; to cheat in selling. See Chaunter. Thackeray.
CHANT Chant, n.Etym: [F. chant, fr. L. cantus singing, song, fr. canere to sing. See Chant, v. t.]
1. Song; melody.
2. (Mus.)
Defn: A short and simple melody, divided into two parts by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music.
3. A psalm, etc., arranged for chanting.
4. Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone. [R.] His strange face, his strange chant. Macaulay. Ambrosian chant, See under Ambrosian. Chant royal Etym: [F.], in old French poetry, a poem containing five strophes of eleven lines each, and a concluding stanza. — each of these six parts ending with a common refrain. — Gregorian chant. See under Gregorian.
CHANTANT
Chan`tant", a. Etym: [F. singing.] (Mus.)
Defn: Composed in a melodious and singing style.