Chant vs. Incantation — What's the Difference?

A chant (from French chanter, from Latin cantare, "to sing") is the iterative speaking or singing of words or sounds, often primarily on one or two main pitches called reciting tones. Chants may range from a simple melody involving a limited set of notes to highly complex musical structures, often including a great deal of repetition of musical subphrases, such as Great Responsories and Offertories of Gregorian chant.

An incantation, a spell, a charm, an enchantment or a bewitchery, is a magical formula intended to trigger a magical effect on a person or objects. The formula can be spoken, sung or chanted.

A series of syllables or words that are sung on or intoned to the same note or a limited range of notes.

A series of words said as a magic spell or charm

A canticle or prayer sung or intoned in this manner.

Ritual recitation of verbal charms or spells to produce a magic effect.

A monotonous rhythmic call or shout, as of a slogan

A formula used in ritual recitation; a verbal charm or spell.

To sing or intone to a chant

A conventionalized utterance repeated without thought or aptness; a formula

To celebrate in song

The act or process of using formulas and/or usually rhyming words, sung or spoken, with occult ceremonies, for the purpose of raising spirits, producing enchantment, or creating other magical results.

To say in the manner of a chant

A formula of words used as above.

To sing, especially in the manner of a chant

Any esoteric command or procedure.

To speak monotonously.

The act or process of using formulas sung or spoken, with occult ceremonies, for the purpose of raising spirits, producing enchantment, or affecting other magical results; enchantment.

To sing, especially without instruments, and as applied to monophonic and pre-modern music.

A formula of words used as above.

To sing or intone sacred text.

The repetitive invoking of old sayings, or emitting a wordy discourse with little or no meaning, to avoid serious discussion; obfuscation; as, to defend one's views with empty incantations.

To utter or repeat in a strongly rhythmical manner, especially as a group.

A ritual recitation of words or sounds believed to have a magical effect

To sell horses fraudulently, exaggerating their merits.

Type of singing done generally without instruments and harmony.

(music) A short and simple melody, divided into two parts by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music.

Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone.

A repetitive song, typically an incantation or part of a ritual.

To utter with a melodious voice; to sing.

To celebrate in song.

To sing or recite after the manner of a chant, or to a tune called a chant.

To make melody with the voice; to sing.

To sing, as in reciting a chant.

Song; melody.

A short and simple melody, divided into two parts by double bars, to which unmetrical psalms, etc., are sung or recited. It is the most ancient form of choral music.

A psalm, etc., arranged for chanting.

Twang; manner of speaking; a canting tone.

A repetitive song in which as many syllables as necessary are assigned to a single tone

Recite with musical intonation; recite as a chant or a psalm;

Utter monotonously and repetitively and rhythmically;