n.
Pronunciation: ' des- ˌ kant
Variant: also dis · cant \ ' dis- \
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English dyscant, from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French descaunt, from Medieval Latin discantus, from Latin dis- + cantus song ― more at CHANT
Date: 14th century
1 a : a melody or counterpoint sung above the plainsong of the tenor b : the art of composing or improvising contrapuntal part music also : the music so composed or improvised c : SOPRANO , TREBLE d : a superimposed counterpoint to a simple melody sung typically by some or all of the sopranos
2 : discourse or comment on a theme