Chant, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Chanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Chanting.]
Etymology: [F. chanter, fr. L. cantare, intens. of canere to sing. Cf. Cant affected speaking, and see Hen.]
1. To utter with a melodious voice; to sing. The cheerful birds . . . do chant sweet music. Spenser.
2. To celebrate in song. The poets chant in the theaters. Bramhall.
3. (Mus.)
To sing or recite after the manner of a chant, or to a tune called a chant.
2 other Webster entries under this spelling
Chant, v. i.
1. To make melody with the voice; to sing. "Chant to the sound of the viol." Amos vi. 5.
2. (Mus.)
To sing, as in reciting a chant. To chant (or chaunt) horses, to sing their praise; to overpraise; to cheat in selling. See Chaunter. Thackeray.
Chant, n.
1. Song; melody.
2. (Mus.)
A short and simple melody, divided into two parts by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music.
3. A psalm, etc., arranged for chanting.
4. Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone. [R.] His strange face, his strange chant. Macaulay. Ambrosian chant, See under Ambrosian. Chant royal Etym: [F.], in old French poetry, a poem containing five strophes of eleven lines each, and a concluding stanza. -- each of these six parts ending with a common refrain. -- Gregorian chant. See under Gregorian.