descant

From Anglo-Norman descaunt, from Medieval Latin discantus.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈdɛskænt/
• Rhymes: -ænt

descant (plural descants)

1. A lengthy discourse on a subject
   • De Quincey

     Upon that simplest of themes how magnificent a descant!

2. (music) A counterpoint melody sung or played above the theme

descant (third-person singular simple present descants, present participle descanting, simple past and past participle descanted)

1. (intransitive) To discuss at length.
   • 1913, Robert Barr, chapter 4, in Lord Stranleigh Abroad‎:

     “… This is a surprise attack, and I’d no wish that the garrison, forewarned, should escape. I am sure, Lord Stranleigh, that he has been descanting on the distraction of the woods and the camp, or perhaps the metropolitan dissipation of Philadelphia, …”

2. (intransitive) To sing or play a descant.

• 1919, Ronald Firbank, Valmouth, Duckworth, hardback edition, page 121

  Involving some interesting, intellectual trips, she was descanting lightly to right and left.

• dancest, decants, scanted, stanced