\Car"ol\, n. [OF. carole a kind of dance wherein many
dance together, fr. caroler to dance; perh. from Celtic; cf.
Armor. koroll, n., korolla, korolli, v., Ir. car music, turn,
circular motion, also L. choraula a flute player, charus a
dance, chorus, choir.]
1. A round dance. [Obs.] --Chaucer.

2. A song of joy, exultation, or mirth; a lay.

         The costly feast, the carol, and the dance. --Dryden

         It was the carol of a bird.           --Byron.

3. A song of praise of devotion; as, a Christmas or Easter
   carol.

         Heard a carol, mournful, holy.        --Tennyson.

         In the darkness sing your carol of high praise.
                                               --Keble.

4. Joyful music, as of a song.

         I heard the bells on Christmans Day Their old,
         familiar carol play.                  --Longfellow.

\Car"ol\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Caroled}, or {Carolled}; p.
pr. & vb. n. {Caroling}, or {Carolling}.]
1. To praise or celebrate in song.

         The Shepherds at their festivals Carol her goodness.
                                               --Milton.

2. To sing, especially with joyful notes.

         Hovering swans . . . carol sounds harmonious.
                                               --Prior.

\Car"ol\, v. i.
To sing; esp. to sing joyfully; to warble.

      And carol of love's high praise.         --Spenser.

      The gray linnets carol from the hill.    --Beattie.

\Car"ol\, Carrol \Car"rol\, n. [OF. carole a sort of
circular space, or carol.] (Arch.)
A small closet or inclosure built against a window on the
inner side, to sit in for study. The word was used as late as
the 16th century.

      A bay window may thus be called a carol. --Parker.