Dictionary entry

Sing

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Sing (?), v. i. [imp.Sung (?) or Sang (�); p. p.Sung; p. pr. & vb. n.Singing.] [AS. singan; akin to D. zingen, OS. & OHG. singan, G. singen, Icel. syngja, Sw. sjunga, Dan. synge, Goth. siggwan, and perhaps to E. say, v.t., or cf. Gr. ��� voice. Cf. Singe, Song.] 1. To utter sounds with musical inflections or melodious modulations of voice, as fancy may dictate, or according to the notes of a song or tune, or of a given part (as alto, tenor, etc.) in a chorus or concerted piece.

The noise of them that sing do I hear. Ex. xxxii. 18.

2. To utter sweet melodious sounds, as birds do.

On every bough the briddes heard I sing. Chaucer.

Singing birds, in silver cages hung. Dryden.

3. To make a small, shrill sound; as, the air sings in passing through a crevice.

O'er his head the flying spear

Sang innocent, and spent its force in air. Pope.

4. To tell or relate something in numbers or verse; to celebrate something in poetry. Milton.

Bid her... sing

Of human hope by cross event destroyed. Prior.

5. To cry out; to complain.

They should sing if thet they were bent. Chaucer.