lilt

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English[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English lilten, lulten.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /lɪlt/
    • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɪlt

Verb[edit]

lilt (third-person singular simple present lilts, present participle lilting, simple past and past participle lilted)

  1. To do something rhythmically, with animation and quickness, usually of music.
    • a. 1851, William Wordsworth, “The Redbreast”, in Henry [Hope] Reed, editor, The Complete Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, Philadelphia, Pa.: Hayes & Zell, [], published 1860, →OCLC:
      Whether the bird flit here or there,
      O'er table lilt , or perch on chair
  2. To sing cheerfully, especially in Gaelic.
  3. To utter with spirit, animation, or gaiety; to sing with spirit and liveliness.
    • 1847, Alfred Tennyson, “(please specify the page number, or |part=Prologue, I to VII, or conclusion)”, in The Princess: A Medley, London: Edward Moxon, [], →OCLC:
      A classic lecture, rich in sentiment, / With scraps of thunderous epic lilted out / By violet-hooded doctors.

Translations[edit]

Noun[edit]

lilt (plural lilts)

  1. Animated, brisk motion; spirited rhythm; sprightliness.
  2. A lively song or dance; a cheerful tune.
  3. A cheerful or melodious accent when speaking.
    • July 18 2012, Scott Tobias, AV Club, The Dark Knight Rises (review)
      Though Bane’s sing-song voice gives his pronouncements a funny lilt, he doesn’t have any of the Joker’s deranged wit, and Nolan isn’t interested in undercutting his seriousness for the sake of a breezier entertainment.

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

lilt”, in Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: G. & C. Merriam, 1913, →OCLC.

Anagrams[edit]