canto etymology

Etymology

The word "canto" comes from the Italian word "canto," which in turn is derived from the Latin word "cantus," meaning "song."

Meaning

A canto is a division of a long poem, typically consisting of a series of stanzas. It is a unit of narrative or thematic development within the larger work.

Origin

The use of cantos to structure long poems originated in the Middle Ages, with works such as Dante's "Divine Comedy" (1308-1321). In early literature, cantos often represented a day's journey in a narrative or a specific scene or event.

Over time, the use of cantos became more flexible. In modern poetry, cantos can vary in length and structure, and are often used to create a sense of movement or progression within a poem.

Examples

  • In Dante's "Inferno," the poem is divided into 34 cantos, each representing a different circle of Hell.
  • In Ezra Pound's "The Cantos" (1922-1969), each canto is a separate section that explores various themes and historical events.
  • In T.S. Eliot's "The Waste Land" (1922), the poem is divided into five cantos, each with its own unique structure and imagery.

canto relate terms

  • accent

    Etymology From Middle English accent borrowed from Old French accent derived from

  • cant

    Etymology From Middle English canten ultimately from Old French chantere to sing

  • cantabile

    Etymology Italian cantabile from Latin cantabilis From cantare to sing bi

  • cantata

    Etymology Cantata comes from the Italian word cantare meaning to sing Meaning an

  • cantatrice

    Etymology The word cantatrice comes from the Italian word cantatrice which in turn

  • canticle

    Etymology The word canticle is derived from the Latin canticulum meaning a little

  • canto

    Etymology The word canto comes from the Italian word canto which in turn is derived

  • cantor

    Etymology The word cantor comes from the Latin word cantor which is derived from the

  • canzone

    Etymology Canzone is an Italian word derived from the Latin cantio meaning song

  • Carmen

    Etymology and Meaning The name Carmen is of Latin origin and means song or poem It

  • chanson

    Etymology French chanson from Old French chanson from Latin cantionem nominati

  • chant

    Etymology The word chant originates from the Old French word chanter which in turn

  • chanter

    Etymology Middle English chanten from Old French chançon chanter from Late Latin ca

  • chanteuse

    Etymology French feminine form of chanteur singer From Old French chantere f

  • chanty

    Etymology The word chanty is derived from the Old French word chanter meaning to s

  • chanticleer

    Etymology The word chanticleer is derived from the following sources Old English c

  • charm

    Etymology Old French charme Latin carmen incantation spell song Proto Indo Euro

  • concent

    Etymology The word concent derives from the Latin word concentus which means agree

  • descant

    Etymology Origin Old French descant Meaning Song added to a plainchant Root Latin des

  • enchant

    Etymology The word enchant derives from the Old French word enchanter which in turn

  • enchantment

    Etymology The word enchantment derives from the Old French word enchantement which

  • incantation

    Etymology The word incantation derives from the Latin word incantare which means t

  • incentive

    Etymology Latin incentivus Indo European ken kenk to urge Meaning Somethi

  • oscine

    Etymology Latin oscen Proto Indo European awe awi bird Meaning A type of bir

  • precentor

    Etymology The word precentor is derived from the Latin word praecentor which means

  • recant

    Etymology The word recant comes from the Latin verb recantare which means to sing b

  • canteen

    Etymology From Portuguese cantina from Italian cantina from Latin canthum rim hoop

  • canton

    Etymology The word canton originates from the Old French term canton which itself d

  • tenor

    Etymology The word tenor comes from the Latin word tenere meaning to hold Meanin

  • periplum

    Etymology The word periplum comes from the Greek word periplos which means a voyag

  • alto

    Etymology The word alto is derived from the Italian word alto meaning high Meani

  • rhapsody

    Etymology Ancient Greek rhapsoidos meaning one who stitches songs together Derived

  • section

    Etymology is the study of the origin and development of words It involves examining the h

  • poem

    Etymology The word poem comes from the Greek word poiema which means a thing made

  • shambles

    Etymology Middle English schamel from Old North French eschamel escamel from Medieva