canto Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun the highest part (usually the melody) in a piece of choral music
  2. noun a major division of a long poem

WordNet

Can"to noun
Etymology
It. canto, fr. L. cantus singing, song. See Chant.
Wordforms
plural Cantos
Definitions
  1. One of the chief divisions of a long poem; a book.
  2. (Mus.) The highest vocal part; the air or melody in choral music; anciently the tenor, now the soprano.

Webster 1913