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Definition of descant:
- A discourse formed on its theme, like variations on a musical air; a comment or comments.
- Originally, a double song; a melody or counterpoint sung above the plain song of the tenor; a variation of an air; a variation by ornament of the main subject or plain song.
- The canto, cantus, or soprano voice; the treble.
- The upper voice in part music.
- To comment freely; to discourse with fullness and particularity; to discourse at large.
- To sing a variation or accomplishment.
Synonyms:
discant, trill, remark, yodel, discussion, comment, discant, criticism, warble, quaver, review.
Usage examples:
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What I suffered in the vessel I will not now descant upon- nor mention the pleasure I received from the sight of the rocky coast.
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I would then descant to buyers upon the freshness of the berries wet with the dews of heaven, but my ruse was soon discovered, and people refused to purchase such mucilaginous pulp.
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But the crown was divided, or cloven, as it were, by the mystic ornament of a silver sword, which, attracting the universal attention, testified at once that this strange garb was worn, not from the vanity of display, but for the sake of presenting to the concourse- in the person of the citizen- a type and emblem of that state of the city on which he was about to descant.