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Joined: Sep 2005
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stranger
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stranger
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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
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veteran
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veteran
Joined: Jun 2010
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A worthy thought, murraystone. Thanks for it.
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Not exactly related, but: why is descant pronounced DESS-cant and the word that is only one vowel different pronounced de-SENT?
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Because that's the way we say it.
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Joined: Dec 2006
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old hand
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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
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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Oh, thanks, olly, for adding all those to the mix! [sarcasm e]  You doin' ok?
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Joined: Mar 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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..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.
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old hand
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old hand
Joined: Dec 2006
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Doin great Jackie. He said in a rather descant way...
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2008
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When I was in Secondary school I used to sing descant in the school
choir until my voice broke.
live in the moment
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
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----please, draw me a sheep----
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enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2008
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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
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