Can"to (?), n.; pl. Cantos (#). [It. canto, fr. L. cantus singing, song. See Chant.]
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.
Canto fermo () [It.] Mus., the plain ecclesiastical chant in cathedral service; the plain song.
© Webster 1913.