discant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very lowTechnical/Formal (Musicology, Historical Linguistics, Archaic)
Quick answer
What does “discant” mean?
A melody or counterpoint sung or played above a main theme, especially in medieval and Renaissance music.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A melody or counterpoint sung or played above a main theme, especially in medieval and Renaissance music.
An elaborate discussion or commentary on a subject; to discourse at length.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling 'discant' is standard in both varieties for the music term. The variant 'descant' (same pronunciation) is also common, especially for the verb/non-specialist noun. No significant regional preference.
Connotations
Evokes medieval/Renaissance musicology, academic discourse, or archaic literary style.
Frequency
Extremely rare in general usage. Slightly more likely encountered in academic (music history) or highly formal/literary contexts in the UK, but the difference is negligible.
Grammar
How to Use “discant” in a Sentence
to discant on/upon [a subject]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “discant” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The scholar would discant for hours upon the nuances of Middle English metre.
- He discanted upon the treaty's clauses with tedious precision.
American English
- The professor discanted on the political implications of the novel.
- She loved to discant upon her travels in great detail.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in musicology and historical linguistics to describe specific polyphonic techniques or archaic forms of discourse.
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Core meaning is technical: a style of polyphony where a new melody runs above a Gregorian chant.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “discant”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “discant”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “discant”
- Pronouncing the 'c' as /s/ (it's /k/).
- Confusing it with the more common 'descant'.
- Using it as a general synonym for 'discussion' in modern contexts.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, for the core musical meaning, they are variant spellings of the same term. 'Descant' is arguably more common in general reference. The verb form ('to discant/descant upon') is also identical.
No. It is a highly specialized, academic, or archaic term. Using it would likely confuse your listener unless you are specifically discussing medieval music or using it humorously in a very formal style.
Primarily a noun (the musical technique). It can also be a very rare and formal/archaic verb meaning 'to speak or write at length on a subject'.
No. They have completely different etymologies. 'Discant' comes from Latin 'discantus' (a separate song), while 'discount' comes from Latin 'discomputare' (to deduct).
A melody or counterpoint sung or played above a main theme, especially in medieval and Renaissance music.
Discant is usually technical/formal (musicology, historical linguistics, archaic) in register.
Discant: in British English it is pronounced /ˈdɪskant/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈdɪsˌkænt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “to discant at length (archaic)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DISCuss a chant. A 'discant' is a musical discussion (a new melody) sung ABOVE a main chant.
Conceptual Metaphor
ELABORATION IS HEIGHT (to discant upon a topic is to build an elaborate structure above its foundation).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'discant' most precisely and commonly used?