/shan"seuhn/ ; Fr. /shahonn sawonn"/ , n. , pl. chansons /-seuhnz/ ; Fr. /-sawonn"/ .
any of several types of song with French lyrics, occurring from the Middle Ages to the present in a variety of musical styles.
[ 1595-1605; cantion- (s. of cantio ) song; see CANZONE ]