Chanticleer Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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chanticleer
[หสรฆntiหklษชr ]
Definition
literary character
Chanticleer is a character from the medieval fable 'The Nun's Priest's Tale' in Geoffrey Chaucer's 'The Canterbury Tales'. He is a proud rooster known for his crowing and also represents the theme of vanity. The story revolves around his encounters with a cunning fox that ultimately leads to lessons about pride and caution. Chanticleer's character has been used in various adaptations and has become a symbol of a boastful demeanor amidst peril.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- Chanticleer's singing woke the farm at dawn.
- The tale of Chanticleer teaches us about humility.
- In 'The Canterbury Tales', Chanticleer is portrayed as wise yet foolish.
- Chanticleer's pride leads him into trouble with the fox.
Translations
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Origin of 'chanticleer'
The name 'Chanticleer' is derived from the Old French term 'chanter cler', which means 'to sing clear'. It reflects the character's notable trait of crowing beautifully at dawn. This name became popular in literary contexts, especially in the narrative poetry of the Middle Ages. Characters like Chanticleer could often be found in fables and stories, exemplifying human attributes like pride and folly through anthropomorphized animals. The tradition of using barnyard animals as central figures in moral tales can be traced back to ancient cultures, reinforcing their relevance as allegorical representations of human behaviors.
Word Frequency Rank
Ranking #39,907, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.
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- 39904 pimpernel
- 39905 impetuousness
- 39906 vandalised
- 39907 chanticleer
- 39908 caryatid
- 39909 gibbeted
- 39910 repined
- ...