chanter

Meanings

1. 1nouncountablemusicspecialist

   The pipe with finger holes on a set of bagpipes, on which the melody is played.

   Grammar: A part of bagpipes: she practiced on a practice chanter.

   Patterns

   • practice chanter
   • play the chanter

   Beginners learn on a practice chanter before touching the full bagpipes.

   The chanter cracked, and the piper had to stop.

   His fingers moved quickly over the chanter.

2. 2nouncountablereligion

   A person who chants, especially one who leads singing or prayer in a religious service.

   Grammar: Plural chanters: the chanters led the opening prayer.

   Patterns

   • a chanter in a choir

   The chanter led the prayers in a deep, steady voice.

   Several chanters stood at the front of the temple.

   As a boy he trained to be a chanter at the cathedral.

Word forms

Common combinations

practice chanter

She still plays her practice chanter every night.

bagpipe chanter

A bagpipe chanter is made of wood.

lead chanter

The lead chanter began the first verse.

temple chanter

The temple chanter was invited to the festival.

Synonyms and how they differ

cantor

Cantor is the formal name for the singer who leads prayers in a synagogue or church, so it is more official than chanter.

singer

Singer is much wider and need not involve chanting or religion.

piper

Piper is the whole player of pipes, while chanter is only the melody pipe.

Word family

chant noun

words repeated in a rhythm

chant verb

to sing or say words in a steady rhythm

chanting noun

the act of repeating words rhythmically

Commonly confused: chanter or chanteur?

Practice

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