A descant, discant, or discantus is any of several different things in music, depending on the period in question; etymologically, the word means a voice (cantus) above or removed from …

The prefix des-, meaning "two" or "apart", indicates that the descant is a "second song" apart from the main melody. In popular songs a descant will often be sung at the very end to produce a …

A discant (occasionally, particularly later, written "descant") is a form of medieval music in which one singer sang a fixed melody, and others accompanied with improvisations.

There are eight meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun descant, two of which are labelled obsolete. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.

Dec 22, 2024 · In music, a descant refers to a melody or counter-melody that soars above the main theme, adding depth and contrast. Derived from the Latin "discantus," meaning "song …

Descant, (from Latin discantus, “song apart”), countermelody either composed or improvised above a familiar melody. Descant can also refer to an instrument of higher-than-normal pitch, …

DESCANT definition: See examples of descant used in a sentence.

Definition of descant noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.

Dec 19, 2025 · (music) A counterpoint melody sung or played above the theme. descant (third-person singular simple present descants, present participle descanting, simple past and past …

May 1, 2025 · Descants, though they can be haunting in quality, provide a thrilling addition to choral works by soaring over the melody adding further depth and dimension to the piece. The …