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DictionaryRoot: cantus
Latin

cantus

singing or song

Forms

  • cantus
  • cant- — Used before other endings.

Origin

From Latin canere, “sing.”

Note

The same family covers singing as an activity and the song produced.

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noun / verb

descant

DES-kant/ˈdeskænt/

A high melody sung or played above a main tune.

The score adds a high descant above the continuing lower melody.

A single music manuscript leaf compares a low-register main tune played alone with the same tune retained beneath an added, independently moving high melody.
Etymology
desLatinapart, away; reversal or negation
+cantLatinsinging or song

The pieces suggest a song apart from the main melody: originally, a counterpoint added to an existing tune. The word later also named the upper voice, giving the sense of a melody above the main tune.

More examples

  • The flute adds a bright descant to the final verse.
  • A solo violin descants above the orchestra's main melody.
  • Our choir director writes descants for traditional carols.

Forms

descant · descants · descanted · descanting

Similar words

countermelody
An accompanying melody that need not be higher in pitch.
counterpoint
Independent melodies combined together, not specifically a high accompanying line.