Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Carol?

\Car"ol\, n. [OF. carole a kind of dance wherein many dance together, fr. caroler to dance; perh. from Celtic; cf. Armor. koroll, n., korolla, korolli, v., Ir. car music, turn, circular motion, also L. choraula a flute player, charus a dance, chorus, choir.] 1. A round dance. [Obs.] --Chaucer. 2. A song of joy, exultation, or mirth; a lay. The costly feast, the carol, and the dance. --Dryden It was the carol of a bird. --Byron. 3. A song of praise of devotion; as, a Christmas or Easter carol. Heard a carol, mournful, holy. --Tennyson. In the darkness sing your carol of high praise. --Keble. 4. Joyful music, as of a song. I heard the bells on Christmans Day Their old, familiar carol play. --Longfellow.
\Car"ol\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Caroled}, or {Carolled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Caroling}, or {Carolling}.] 1. To praise or celebrate in song. The Shepherds at their festivals Carol her goodness. --Milton. 2. To sing, especially with joyful notes. Hovering swans . . . carol sounds harmonious. --Prior.
\Car"ol\, v. i. To sing; esp. to sing joyfully; to warble. And carol of love's high praise. --Spenser. The gray linnets carol from the hill. --Beattie.
\Car"ol\, Carrol \Car"rol\, n. [OF. carole a sort of circular space, or carol.] (Arch.) A small closet or inclosure built against a window on the inner side, to sit in for study. The word was used as late as the 16th century. A bay window may thus be called a carol. --Parker.