Middle English Dictionary Entry
chauntǒur n.(1)
Entry Info
| Forms | chauntǒur n.(1) Also chaunter, -ur. |
| Etymology | AF chauntour, CF chantëor. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
A singer, composer, poet, minstrel; also used fig. of the cock.
Associated quotations
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)2.349 : In his tyme was Linus of Thebe in Egipt, þe grete chauntour [L musicus], in his floures.
- (a1387) Trev.Higd.(StJ-C H.1)3.83 : Archilocus and Symonydes, þe chaunteres [L musici], were þat tyme in here floures.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)26b/a : Fabarius: a chaunter.
- (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)71 : Chawntowre: Cantor.
- (1449) Metham AC (Gar 141)259 : The nyght chauntour [the cok] hys fyrst salme dyd appryse.
- a1450(c1400) Wor.Serm.(Wor F.10)30/259 : Be a man neuer so gret a chaunter, haue he neuer so cler voys [etc.].
- 1483 Cath.Angl.(Monson 168)61 : A Chawnter: parophonista, cantor, precentor, succentor, fabarius.
- a1500(a1450) Parton.(1) (Add 35288)12180 : What nedeth it to speke..of gestours, Or of chauntours þe grete maisters.
2.
Eccl. The leader of a choir, precentor; chef ~; also, a member of a choir, chorister; ?also, chantry priest [as in wills].
Associated quotations
- c1390(?c1350) SVrn.Leg.(Vrn)59/115 : Þe chauntur hedde gret wondring Þat he fayled of his seying.
- a1425 Ordin.Nuns(1) (Lnsd 378)143/25 : And þan þe chantur sall be-gine þis salme..þe ta side a verse, & þe toþir a-noder.
- a1425 Ordin.Nuns(1) (Lnsd 378)144/11 : Þe chantir sall be-ginne solemply þis hym..þe quere a verse, þe toþir a-noþir.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)26a/a : Exodiarius: chyf chauntur.
- a1425 *Medulla (Stnh A.1.10)51b/a : Precentor: a chauntur.
- c1425 WBible(2) Prol.Ps.(Qu-O 387)736 : This book 'Sauter' is clepid, that is to seie, the book of songis of Dauith and of Asaph, the chauntour of the temple of the Lord.
- (1442) Proc.Privy C.5.213 : Waulter Colles, chauntour of Excestre.
- (1447) Doc.in HMC Rep.3 App.316a : Item, ii rede copis for chauntours..ii yelow copis for chauntours.
- c1450 Jacob's W.(Sal 174)208/17 : A ryche man..wente to mayster Peers, chauntour of Parys, & askyd hym how he myʒte be sauyd.
- (1463) Will Bury in Camd.4916 : Eche of the parish prests to haue vj d. and..the chawntours eche of them vj d.
- (1470) Will York in Sur.Soc.45179 : To the chawntor, to the segirston, and to hym that dose the highe messe.
- a1475 Godstow Reg.(Rwl B.408)350/5 : The sentens of thys acte..a-fore þe prior of walingeforde, principall iugge, & the chaunter of walingeforde.
- ?a1475(?a1425) Higd.(2) (Hrl 2261)7.81 : This duke..songe in somme monastery of his realme with monkes, other elles was one of the chawnters.