descant

[ˈdɛskænt]

descant Definition

• 1. a melody sung or played above the main melody of a piece of music
• 2. a comment or discussion that is not directly related to the main subject of a conversation

Using descant: Examples

Take a moment to familiarize yourself with how "descant" can be used in various situations through the following examples!

• Example

  The choir sang a beautiful descant to the hymn.

• Example

  The violinist played a lovely descant to the piano's main melody.

• Example

  The conversation turned into a descant about politics.

descant Synonyms and Antonyms

Synonyms for descant

• counterpoint
• harmony
• variation
• divagation
• digression

Antonyms for descant

• unison
• monotony

Phrases with descant

• descant recorder

  a high-pitched recorder used to play descant parts in music

  Example

  She learned to play the descant recorder in elementary school.

• descant voice

  a high-pitched singing voice that sings the descant part in music

  Example

  The choir director was looking for someone with a strong descant voice to sing the solo.

• descant line

  the melody sung or played above the main melody in a piece of music

  Example

  The descant line in this song is particularly challenging for the sopranos.

Origins of descant

from Old French 'deschant', meaning 'dispute, discord'

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Summary: descant in Brief

The term 'descant' [ˈdɛskænt] refers to a melody sung or played above the main melody in a piece of music. It can also refer to a comment or discussion that is not directly related to the main subject of a conversation. Examples include 'The choir sang a beautiful descant to the hymn' and 'The conversation turned into a descant about politics.'