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The power of singing; a musical voice; -- so called, probably, from the connection of the voice with the lungs, which lie within the breast. [Obs.] By my troth, the fool has an excellent breast. Shak. Breast drill, a portable drilling machine, provided with a breastplate, for forcing the drill against the work. -- Bre…

A comic operetta; a music farce. Byron.

A rhythmical modulation of the voice or of any sound; as, music of bells in cadence sweet. Blustering winds, which all night long Had roused the sea, now with hoarse cadence lull Seafaring men o'erwatched. Milton. The accents . . . were in passion's tenderest cadence. Sir W. Scott.

A musical instrument consisting of series of steam whistles, toned to the notes of the scale, and played by keys arranged like those of an organ. It is sometimes attached to steamboat boilers.

can no Latin, quod she. Piers Plowman. Let the priest in surplice white, That defunctive music can. Shak.

A musical composition in which the voice begin one after another, at regular intervals, succesively taking up the same subject. It either winds up with a coda (tailpiece), or, as each voice finishes, commences anew, thus forming a perpetual fugue or round. It is the strictest form of imitation. See Imitation.…

Melodious; musical. "Birds that are most canorous." Sir T. Browne. A long, lound, and canorous peal of laughter. De Quincey.

The quality of being musical. He chooses his language for its rich canorousness. Lowell.

A poem set to music; a musical composition comprising choruses, solos, interludes, etc., arranged in a somewhat dramatic manner; originally, a composition for a single noise, consisting of both recitative and melody.

A stand with divisions in it for holding music, loose papers, etc. Canterbury ball (Bot.), a species of Campanula of several varietes, cultivated for its handsome bell-shaped flowers. -- Canterbury gallop, a gentle gallop such as was used by pilgrims riding, to Canterbury; a canter. -- Canterbury table, one of the ta…

To chant; to recite with musical tones. M. Stuart.

A chanting; recitation or reading with musical modulations.

The highest vocal part; the air or melody in choral music; anciently the tenor, now the soprano. Canto fermo ( Etym: [It.] (Mus.), the plain ecclesiastical chant in cathedral service; the plain song.

A rough draft or model of a song, air, or other literary or musical composition; esp. one to show a poet the measure of the verses he is to make. Grabb.

The musical director in royal or ducal chapel; a choirmaster. [Written also kepellmeister.]

A tune adapted to be played by musical bells.

Joyful music, as of a song. I heard the bells on Christmans Day Their old, familiar carol play. Longfellow.

re-topmast. (b) To take possession of the mind; to charm; to delude; as, to be carried by music, or by temptation. -- To carry coals, to bear indignities tamely, a phrase used by early dramatists, perhaps from the mean nature of the occupation. Halliwell. -- To carry coals to Newcastle, to take things to a place wher…

Apt or tending to catch the fancy or attention; catching; taking; as, catchy music.

By extension: To supply what is needed or desired, at theatrical or musical entertainments; -- followed by for or to.