chant (chănt)
n.

1. 1. A short, simple series of syllables or words that are sung on or intoned to the same note or a limited range of notes.
   2. A canticle or prayer sung or intoned in this manner.
   3. A song or melody.
2. A monotonous rhythmic call or shout, as of a slogan: the chant of the crowd at the rally.

v., chant·ed, chant·ing, chants.

v.tr.

1. To sing or intone to a chant: chant a prayer.
2. To celebrate in song: chanting a hero's deeds.
3. To say in the manner of a chant: chanted defiant slogans.

v.intr.

1. To sing, especially in the manner of a chant: chanted while a friend jumped rope.
2. To speak monotonously.

[Probably from French, song, from Old French, from Latin cantus, from past participle of canere, to sing. V., from Middle English chaunten, to sing, from Old French chanter, from Latin cantāre, frequentative of canere.]

chantingly chant'ing·ly adv.

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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