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 …

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, …

Apr 20, 2025 · The term ‘descant’ itself implies a high-pitched melodic line, typically situated one to three octaves above the main melody. The exact intervalic relationship can vary depending …

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.

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

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

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.

May 1, 2025 · The descant is one of the most beautiful aspects of choral music. Many of us know the descant from hearing it in church sung by the choir during a hymn, or from singing a choral …