n. & v.
--n.
1. Mus. an independent treble melody usu. sung or played above a basic melody, esp. of a hymn tune.
2 poet. a melody; a song.
--v.intr.
1. (foll. by on, upon) talk lengthily and prosily, esp. in praise of.
2 Mus. sing or play a descant.
Phrases and idioms:
descant recorder the most common size of recorder, with a range of two octaves.
Etymology: ME f. OF deschant f. med.L discantus (as DIS-, cantus song, CHANT)