cantillate

verb

can·​til·​late ˈkan-tə-ˌlāt How to pronounce cantillate (audio)
cantillated; cantillating

transitive verb

: to recite with musical tones
cantillation noun

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Despite the vast altars on which networks make gruesome sacrifices while cantillating to their gods, neither of these shows will last forever. Margaret Lyons, New York Times, 11 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'cantillate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

Latin cantilatus, past participle of cantilare to sing, perhaps from cantilena

First Known Use

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of cantillate was circa 1828

Dictionary Entries Near cantillate

Cite this Entry

“Cantillate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cantillate. Accessed 28 Mar. 2023.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!


Love It or Hate It

  • heart-fire
  • When asked about her blind date, Carol spoke for hours with vitriol.
True or False

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY