from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Sing \Sing\ (s[i^]ng), 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.
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The noise of them that sing do I hear. --Ex. xxxii.
18.
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2. To utter sweet melodious sounds, as birds do.
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On every bough the briddes heard I sing. --Chaucer.
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Singing birds, in silver cages hung. --Dryden.
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3. To make a small, shrill sound; as, the air sings in
passing through a crevice.
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O'er his head the flying spear
Sang innocent, and spent its force in air. --Pope.
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4. To tell or relate something in numbers or verse; to
celebrate something in poetry. --Milton.
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Bid her . . . sing
Of human hope by cross event destroyed. --Prior.
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5. To cry out; to complain. [Obs.]
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They should sing if thet they were bent. --Chaucer.
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