|
|
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5
stranger
|
|
stranger
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 5 |
The notion that a descant is a specifically ornamental melodic line adds extra poignancy to Richard III's soliloquy in Act I Sc I, where he says he is reluctant to loiter in public "Unless to spy my shadow in the sun. And descant on mine own deformity".
Murray Stone, Westerose, Alberta
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554
veteran
|
|
veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,554 |
A worthy thought, murraystone. Thanks for it.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Not exactly related, but: why is descant pronounced DESS-cant and the word that is only one vowel different pronounced de-SENT?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 10,542 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Because that's the way we say it.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 956
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 956 |
or Desant..
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English discant, descaunt < Anglo-French < Medieval Latin discanthus, equivalent to Latin dis- dis-1 + cantus
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
Oh, thanks, olly, for adding all those to the mix! [sarcasm e]  You doin' ok?
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
..or perhaps DEE-sent? Maybe, M, but I'm not far enough south to say it that way. But I do say INsurance. Hubby says warranTEE, which drives me up the wall.
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 956
old hand
|
|
old hand
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 956 |
Doin great Jackie. He said in a rather descant way...
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 11,613 |
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 291
enthusiast
|
|
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 291 |
When I was in Secondary school I used to sing descant in the school
choir until my voice broke.
live in the moment
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3
Carpal Tunnel
|
|
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 9,971 Likes: 3 |
----please, draw me a sheep----
|
|
|
|
|
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 291
enthusiast
|
|
enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 291 |
In vain to me the smiling Mornings shine, And redd'ning Phoebus lifts his golden Fire: The Birds in vain their amorous Descant join; Or cheerful Fields resume their green Attire: Thomas Gray (1716–1771), British poet. Sonnet on the Death of Mr. Richard West (l. 1–4). . . Read more at http://quotes.dictionary.com/In_vain_to_me_the_smiling_Mornings_shine#QXH06CJROvyq8jDR.99
Last edited by Bazr; 06/09/2014 1:54 AM.
live in the moment
|
|
|
|
|
