Middle English Dictionary Entry
discant n.
Entry Info
| Forms | discant n. Also desca(u)nt, descha(u)nt. |
| Etymology | ML discantus & AF deschaunt, descaunt; CF deschant. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A melody or counterpoint sung above the plainsong on one of three levels, mene, treble, and countertenor [see quots.]; singing in parts.
Associated quotations
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Prelates (Corp-C 296)77 : Here stynkynge..blastis & lowd criynge; for bi þer grete criyng of song, as deschaunt, countre note & orgene, þei ben lettid fro..prechynge of þe gospel.
- ?c1430(c1400) Wycl.Prelates (Corp-C 296)91 : Þei don not here sacrifices bi mekenesse..but wiþ knackynge of newe song, as orgen or deschant & motetis.
- a1450 Treat.Music (Lnsd 763)242/6,47 : Þei must knou hou many cordis of discant þer be. As olde men seyen & as men syng nou-adayes, ther be 9. But who-so wil syng manerli & musikili he may not lepe to þe 15the in no maner of discant, for it longith to no mannys voys, & so þer be but 8 acordis aftir þe discant nou jvsid..how þu shalt hem [notes] ymageyn betwene þe playnsong & þi discant, here foluyþe ensample.
- a1450 Treat.Music (Lnsd 763)258/17 : For þe sithgt of descaunt, it is to wete..þat ther be 9 a-cordis of descant, scilicet a vnisoun, a 3de, a 5te, a 6te, a 8te, a 10e, a 12e, a 13, a 15e. Of þe whech 9 a-cordis þer be 5 perfite & 4 inperfite.
- a1450 Treat.Music (Lnsd 763)259/18,32 : Þe descaunte of þe mene shal begynne his descaunt with þe plain-song in sighte & a 5te a-boue in voise..The treble descante shal be-gynne his descant with þe plain-song in sighte & a 8te a-boue in voise.
- a1450 Treat.Music (Lnsd 763)260/30 : The sight of þe countertenor of descant & his acordis. Thus sufficientli sped of þe sightis of al þe degreis of descant, it is conuenient to declare þe 9 acordis of þe counter-tenor sight longyng to descant.