\Chant\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Chanted}; p. pr. & vb. n.
{Chanting}.] [F. chanter, fr. L. cantare, intens. of canere
to sing. Cf. {Cant} affected speaking, and see {Hen}.]
1. To utter with a melodious voice; to sing.

         The cheerful birds . . . do chant sweet music.
                                               --Spenser.

2. To celebrate in song.

         The poets chant in the theaters.      --Bramhall.

3. (Mus.) To sing or recite after the manner of a chant, or
   to a tune called a chant.

\Chant\, v. i.
1. To make melody with the voice; to sing. ``Chant to the
   sound of the viol.'' --Amos vi. 5.

2. (Mus.) To sing, as in reciting a chant.

{To chant (or chaunt)} {horses}, to sing their praise; to
   overpraise; to cheat in selling. See {Chaunter}.
   --Thackeray.

\Chant\, n.[F. chant, fr. L. cantus singing, song, fr.
canere to sing. See {Chant}, v. t.]
1. Song; melody.

2. (Mus.) A short and simple melody, divided into two parts
   by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung
   or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music.

3. A psalm, etc., arranged for chanting.

4. Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone. [R.]

         His strange face, his strange chant.  --Macaulay.

{Ambrosian chant}, See under {Ambrosian}.

{Chant royal} [F.], in old French poetry, a poem containing
   five strophes of eleven lines each, and a concluding
   stanza. -- each of these six parts ending with a common
   refrain.

{Gregorian chant}. See under {Gregorian}.