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n. 1. also dis·cant (dĭs-) Music a. An ornamental melody or counterpoint sung or played above a theme. b. The highest part sung in part music. 2. A discussion or discourse on a theme. intr.v. (dĕskănt′, dĕ-skănt) des·cant·ed, des·cant·ing, des·cants 1. To comment at length; discourse: "He used to descant critically on the dishes which had been at table" (James Boswell). 2. also dis·cant (dĭskănt′, dĭ-skănt) Music a. To sing or play a descant. b. To sing melodiously. [Middle English, from Anglo-Norman descaunt, from Medieval Latin discantus, a refrain : Latin dis-, dis- + Latin cantus, song (from past participle of canere, to sing; see kan- in the Appendix of Indo-European roots).] descant′er n. |
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