chant

Short definition from Wiktionary

Verb

1. 1
   To sing, especially without instruments, and as applied to monophonic and pre-modern music.
2. 2
   To sing or intone sacred text.
3. 3
   To utter or repeat in a strongly rhythmical manner, especially as a group.
4. 4
   To sell horses fraudulently, exaggerating their merits.

Noun

1. 1
   Type of singing done generally without instruments and harmony.
2. 2
   A short and simple melody to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited.
3. 3
   A short and simple melody to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited: A harmonized melody used in Anglican chant, usually split into two two-bar phrases, to which the words of a psalm are sung by a choir; typically, each musical phrase corresponds to the text of half of a verse.
4. 4
   Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone.
5. 5
   A repetitive song, typically an incantation or part of a ritual.

Proper noun

1. 1
   A surname from French.