Car"ol (?), n. [OF. carole a kind of dance wherein many dance together, fr. caroler to dance; perh. from Celtic; cf. Armor. koroll, n., korolla, korolli, v., Ir. car music, turn, circular motion, also L. choraula a flute player, charus a dance, chorus, choir.]
1.
A round dance.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.
2.
A song of joy, exultation, or mirth; a lay.
The costly feast, the carol, and the dance.
Dryden
It was the carol of a bird.
Byron.
3.
A song of praise of devotion; as, a Christmas or Easter carol.
Heard a carol, mournful, holy.
Tennyson.
In the darkness sing your carol of high praise.
Keble.
4.
Joyful music, as of a song.
I heard the bells on Christmans Day
Their old, familiar carol play.
Longfellow.
© Webster 1913.
Car"ol (?), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Caroled (?), or Carolled; p. pr. & vb. n. Caroling, or Carolling.]
1.
To praise or celebrate in song.
The Shepherds at their festivals
Carol her goodness.
Milton.
2.
To sing, especially with joyful notes.
Hovering awans . . . carol sounds harmonious.
Prior.
© Webster 1913.
Car"ol, v. i.
To sing; esp. to sing joyfully; to warble.
And carol of love's high praise.
Spenser.
The gray linnets carol from the hill.
Beattie.
© Webster 1913.
Car"ol, Car"rol, n. [OF. carole a sort of circular space, or carol.] Arch.
A small closet or inclosure built against a window on the inner side, to sit in for study. The word was used as late as the 16th century.
A bay window may thus be called a carol.
Parker.
© Webster 1913.