n. & v.
n. 1 a a spoken singsong phrase, esp. one performed in unison by a crowd etc. b a repetitious singsong way of speaking. 2 Mus. a a short musical passage in two or more phrases used for singing unmetrical words, e.g. psalms, canticles. b the psalm or canticle so sung. c a song, esp. monotonous or repetitive. 3 a musical recitation, esp. of poetry.
v.tr. & intr. 1 talk or repeat monotonously (a crowd chanting slogans). 2 sing or intone (a psalm etc.).
[ ME (orig. as verb) f. OF chanter sing f. L cantare frequent. of canere cant- sing ]