Descant /(dĕs"kănt)/

1. Originally, a double song; a melody or counterpoint sung above the plain song of the tenor; a variation of an air; a variation by ornament of the main subject or plain song. (Mus.)

   Twenty doctors expound one text twenty ways, as children make descant upon plain song.

   She [the nightingale] all night long her amorous descant sung.

2. A discourse formed on its theme, like variations on a musical air; a comment or comments.

   Upon that simplest of themes how magnificent a descant!

imp. & p. p. Descanted; p. pr. & vb. n. Descanting

1. To sing a variation or accomplishment.
2. To comment freely; to discourse with fullness and particularity; to discourse at large.

   A virtuous man should be pleased to find people descanting on his actions.