cantillate

1 of 2

verb

can·​til·​late ˈkan-tə-ˌlāt 

cantillated; cantillating

transitive verb

: to recite with musical tones

cantillation

ˌkan-tə-ˈlā-shən 

noun

cantillation

2 of 2

noun

can·​til·​la·​tion ˌkan-tə-ˈlā-shən 

plural -s

: liturgical chanting : intonation

Examples of cantillate in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

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

Word History

Etymology

Verb

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

Noun

Latin cantillatus + English -ion

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1828, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for cantillate

• abdicate
• abrogate
• acetate
• activate
• actuate
• aggravate
• agitate
• alginate
• alienate
• allocate
• amputate
• angulate