Main Entry:

¹des·cant

Pronunciation:

\ˈdes-ˌkant\

Variant(s):

also dis·cant \ˈdis-\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English dyscant, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French descaunt, from Medieval Latin discantus, from Latin dis- + cantus song — more at chant

Date:

14th century

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 sopranos2: discourse or comment on a theme