descant

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

For seven decades, Katz has been providing a visual descant to the work of the New York School of poets, many of whom were his friends.

From Washington Post • Oct. 29, 2022

The Hynde storyline, which includes her messing around with songs on an acoustic guitar, runs as a kind of descant against the personal and professional noise of the Pistols.

From Los Angeles Times • May 31, 2022

With no lines to address it, this extension of the theme of assumed privilege can only serve as a descant to the others, but sometimes that’s enough.

From New York Times • Apr. 11, 2018

A cascade of overlapping Rickenbacker, chorus and descant, prayer and polemic.

From Time • Nov. 15, 2011

Attention is naturally drawn to high notes, so a part that is higher than the melody is sometimes given a special name such as "descant."

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones