Descant: meaning, definitions and examples

๐ŸŽถ
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descant

 

[ dษชsหˆkรฆnt ]

Noun / Verb
Context #1 | Noun

musical term

A descant is a melodic line or counterpoint that is sung or played above a main melody, often in a higher pitch. It is commonly used in choral music and can add harmony and richness to a piece.

Synonyms

counterpoint, harmony, melody.

Examples of usage

  • The choir sang a beautiful descant during the hymn.
  • She played a descant flute part in the ensemble.
  • The descant added a lovely layer to the composition.
Context #2 | Verb

to sing

To descant means to sing or play a descant vocal line, especially in harmony with the main melody. This form of musical expression is often used to enhance overall sound and create intricate musical textures.

Synonyms

ad-lib, embroider, improvise.

Examples of usage

  • He will descant over the main melody.
  • The soloist loves to descant during performances.
  • They decided to descant the familiar tune.

Translations

Translations of the word "descant" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น contraponto

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เค‰เคšเฅเคš เคธเฅเคตเคฐ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช Diskant

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ melodi tinggi

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะดะธัะบะพะฝั‚

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ diskant

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ใƒ‡ใ‚ฃใ‚นใ‚ซใƒณใƒˆ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท dessus

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ contrapunto

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท yรผksek ses

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ๋””์Šค์นธํŠธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุตูˆุช ู…ุฑุชูุน

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ diskant

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ diskant

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ไธŠๅฃฐ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ diskant

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ diskant

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ะดะธัะบะพะฝั‚

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒ“แƒ˜แƒกแƒ™แƒแƒœแƒขแƒ˜

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ diskant

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ contrapunto

Etymology

The word 'descant' originates from the Latin 'discantus', which means 'to sing apart' or 'to sing in different parts'. It was first used in the context of music during the medieval period, referring to the practice of adding higher melodic lines against a cantus firmus, or fixed song, in choral music. As musical styles evolved, the use of descants became more sophisticated, especially in polyphonic music during the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Today, 'descant' can refer to both the melodic technique and the specific vocal parts in choral compositions.

Word Frequency Rank

This word's position of #32,792 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.