Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of Song?

\Song\ (?; 115), n. [AS. song, sang, fr. singan to sing; akin to D. zang, G. sang, Icel. s["o]ngr, Goeth. sagws. See {Sing}.] 1. That which is sung or uttered with musical modulations of the voice, whether of a human being or of a bird, insect, etc. ``That most ethereal of all sounds, the song of crickets.'' --Hawthorne. 2. A lyrical poem adapted to vocal music; a ballad. 3. More generally, any poetical strain; a poem. The bard that first adorned our native tongue Tuned to his British lyre this ancient song. --Dryden. 4. Poetical composition; poetry; verse. This subject for heroic song. --Milton. 5. An object of derision; a laughingstock. And now am I their song. yea, I am their byword. --Job xxx. 9. 6. A trifle. ``The soldier's pay is a song.'' --Silliman. {Old song}, a trifle; nothing of value. ``I do not intend to be thus put off with an old song.'' --Dr. H. More. {Song bird} (Zo["o]l.), any singing bird; one of the Oscines. {Song sparrow} (Zo["o]l.), a very common North American sparrow ({Melospiza fasciata}, or {M. melodia}) noted for the sweetness of its song in early spring. Its breast is covered with dusky brown streaks which form a blotch in the center. {Song thrush} (Zo["o]l.), a common European thrush ({Turdus musicus}), noted for its melodius song; -- called also {mavis}, {throsite}, and {thrasher}. Syn: Sonnet; ballad; canticle; carol; canzonet; ditty; hymn; descant; lay; strain; poesy; verse.