— caroler; esp. Brit., caroller , n.
/kar"euhl/ , n. , v. , caroled, caroling or ( esp. Brit. ) carolled, carolling .
n.
1. a song, esp. of joy.
2. a Christmas song or hymn.
3. a seat in a bay window or oriel.
4. a compartment in a cloister, similar to a carrel.
5. a kind of circular dance.
v.i.
6. to sing Christmas songs or hymns, esp. in a group performing in a public place or going from house to house.
7. to sing, esp. in a lively, joyous manner; warble.
v.t.
8. to sing joyously.
9. to praise or celebrate in song.
[ 1250-1300; ME carole ring, circle (of stones), enclosed place for study (see CARREL), ringdance with song (hence, song) carole, OF * corole (cf. OPr corola ), appar. corolla garland (see COROLLA), conflated with L choraula choraúles piper for choral dance, equiv. to chor ( ós ) CHORUS + -aules, deriv. of aulós pipe ]