lilt
/lɪlt/ verb, noun
Forms lilts lilting lilted
- verb (intransitive) To do something rhythmically, with animation and quickness, usually of music.
- verb (intransitive) To sing cheerfully, especially in Gaelic.
- verb (intransitive) To utter with spirit, animation, or gaiety; to sing with spirit and liveliness.
- noun An animated, brisk motion; a spirited rhythm; sprightliness.
- noun A lively song or dance; a cheerful tune.
- noun A cheerful or melodious accent or style in speaking.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English lilten, lulten.
Webster’s 1913
- verb To do anything with animation and quickness, as to skip, fly, or hop. [Prov. Eng.] Wordsworth.
- verb To sing cheerfully. [Scot.]
- verb To utter with spirit, animation, or gayety; to sing with spirit and liveliness.
- noun Animated, brisk motion; spirited rhythm; sprightliness.
Etymology [Cf. Norw. lilla, lirla, to sing in a high tone.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “lilt”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details