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 sopranos
2 : discourse or comment on a theme