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Refrain vs Chant - What's the difference?

refrain | chant |

As nouns the difference between refrain and chant

is that refrain is while chant is type of singing done generally without instruments and harmony.

As a verb chant is

to sing, especially without instruments, and as applied to monophonic and pre-modern music.

refrain

English

Etymology 1

From a combination of (etyl) refraindre, (etyl) refreindre (from (etyl) refrangere), and (etyl) refrener, (etyl) refrener (from (etyl) refrenare).

Verb

(en verb)
  • (archaic) To hold back, to restrain (someone or something).
  • * Proverbs i:15 .
    • Refrain thy foot from their path.
  • (reflexive, archaic) To show restraint; to hold oneself back.
  • * 1526 , (William Tyndale), trans. Bible , Acts V:
    • And nowe I saye unto you: refrayne youreselves from these men, and let them alone [...].
  • *
    • his reson aperceyueth it wel that it is synne / agayns the lawe of god / and yet his reson / refreyneth nat his foul delit or talent.
  • * Bible, Proverbs i. 15
    • Refrain thy foot from their path.
  • To stop oneself (from) some action or interference; to abstain.
  • * Bible, Acts v. 38
    • Refrain from these men, and let them alone.
  • * Sir Thomas Browne
    • They refrained therefrom [eating flesh] some time after.
  • *
    • Who, requiring a remedy for his gout, received no other counsel than to refrain cold drink.

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl) refrain, from the (etyl) verb . See refract and the verb refrain.

    Noun

    (wikipedia refrain) (en noun)
  • The chorus or burden of a song repeated at the end of each verse or stanza.
    • We hear the wild refrain . Whittier.
  • A much repeated comment, complaint, or saying.

    • References

    *

    Anagrams

    * ----

    chant

    English

    Alternative forms

    * (archaic) chaunt

    Verb

    (en verb)
  • To sing, especially without instruments, and as applied to monophonic and pre-modern music.
  • * Spenser
    • The cheerful birds do chant sweet music.
  • To sing or intone sacred text.

    • Noun

    (wikipedia chant) (en noun)
  • Type of singing done generally without instruments and harmony.
  • (music) A short and simple melody, divided into two parts by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music.
  • Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone.
  • * Macaulay
    • His strange face, his strange chant .
  • A repetitive song, typically an incantation or part of a ritual.

    • Related terms

    * enchant * Gregorian chant * incantation

    Anagrams

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