English Explanatory Dictionary

cantor

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. singer, especially someone who takes a special role of singing or song leading at a ceremony
  2. A prayer leader in a Jewish service; a hazzan
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

/ˈkæntɔː(ɹ)/ /ˈkæntə(ɹ)/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-cantor.wav LL-Q1860 (eng)-Wodencafe-cantor.wav

Word forms

cantor cantors cantour

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *keh₂n-der. Proto-Italic *kanō Latin canō Proto-Indo-European *-tōr Proto-Italic *-tōr Latin -tor Latin cantorbor. English cantor Borrowed from Latin cantor, agent noun from perfect passive participle cantus, from verb canere (“to sing”) + -or (“agent suffix”). Doublet of chanter.

Related words

cantorate cantrix chant song leader

Derived words

cantoral cantoress cantorial cantorship cantress subcantor
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