1. melodic counterpoints sung or played above a basic melody
Usage: music
2. lengthy discussions or commentaries on a topic
Usage: formal

1. sings or plays a descant above a melody
Usage: music
2. speaks or writes at length about something
Usage: formal

Examples

• The soprano sang beautiful descants above the choir’s main melody.
• Her descants on modern poetry filled three lengthy chapters.
• The flutist descants gracefully over the string section.
• He descants endlessly about his travels in Europe.
• The musical arrangement featured intricate descants in the final movement.
• She descants on the importance of environmental conservation.
• The organist added improvised descants to the hymn.