DITTY

ditty

(noun) a short simple song (or the words of a poem intended to be sung)

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

ditty (plural ditties)

A short verse or tune.

A saying or utterance, especially one that is short and frequently repeated.

Verb

ditty (third-person singular simple present ditties, present participle dittying, simple past and past participle dittied)

To sing; to warble a little tune.

Source: Wiktionary

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Dit"ty, n.; pl. Ditties. Etym: [OE. dite, OF. ditié, fr. L. dictatum, p. p. neut. of dictare to say often, dictate, compose. See Dictate, v. t.]

1. A saying or utterance; especially, one that is short and frequently repeated; a theme. O, too high ditty for my simple rhyme. Spenser.

2. A song; a lay; a little poem intended to be sung. "Religious, martial, or civil ditties." Milton.ditties sing. Sandys.

Dit"ty, v. i.

Definition: To sing; to warble a little tune. Beasts fain would sing; birds ditty to their notes. Herbert.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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