Lilt

Word of the Day for Thursday, April 11, 2013

Lilt \lilt\, noun:

1. rhythmic swing or cadence.
2. a lilting song or tune.

verb:
1. to sing or play in a light, tripping, or rhythmic manner.

In this way, the movement of the lines is both slowed and varied, bringing them closer to a lilt, or even, at times, a slow chant.
-- Declan Kiberd, The Irish Writer and the World, 2005

Lucilla pitched her voice in the merry lilt: "Good morning, Dama."
-- Frank Herbert, Chapterhouse: Dune, 1985

The origin of lilt is unknown, though it may be related to the Norwegian lilla meaning "to sing" or to the Low German lul meaning "pipe." The verb form entered English more than 300 years before the noun form, in the late 1300s.

Thanks to: www.dictionary.com