chant

Where does the word "chant" come from? It comes from Latin canere, passing through Old French before entering English (1300s).

Chant’s story begins in Latin: canere meant “to sing.” To sing, giving rise to cantare (to sing repeatedly). By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as chanter. Carried into French for singing, especially a simple repeated melody. It reached English by 1300s as chant. Settled as the English word for singing or repeating words to a simple melody. Today, chant means to sing or say words repeatedly to a simple, rhythmic melody.

1. Stage 1 · Latin · ancient canere "to sing", to sing, giving rise to cantare (to sing repeatedly).
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval chanter "to sing a simple repeated melody", carried into French for singing, especially a simple repeated melody.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1300s chant "to sing or repeat words to a simple melody", settled as the English word for singing or repeating words to a simple melody.