— descanter , n.
n. , adj. /des"kant/ ; v. /des kant", dis-/ , n.
1. Music.
a. a melody or counterpoint accompanying a simple musical theme and usually written above it.
b. (in part music) the soprano.
c. a song or melody.
2. a variation upon anything; comment on a subject.
adj.
3. Music , Chiefly Brit.
a. soprano: a descant recorder.
b. treble: a descant viol.
v.i.
4. Music. to sing.
5. to comment or discourse at great length.
Also, discant .
[ 1350-1400; ME discant, descaunt discanthus, equiv. to L dis- DIS- 1 + cantus song; see CHANT ]