LILTING

lilting, swinging, swingy, tripping

(adjective) characterized by a buoyant rhythm; “an easy lilting stride”; “the flute broke into a light lilting air”; “a swinging pace”; “a graceful swingy walk”; “a tripping singing measure”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Adjective

lilting (not comparable)

Having a lilt; with energy, spirit and sprightliness; lively and cheerful.

Noun

lilting (countable and uncountable, plural liltings)

A type of lively singing without any musical accompaniment, where the tune itself is sung, often to nonsense syllables.

• Anthology of Music and Dance of the Americas, The JVC/Smithsonian Folkways, Vol 1, Canada and the United States: Secular Traditions.

Verb

lilting

present participle of lilt

Anagrams

• TILLING, tilling

Source: Wiktionary

LILT

Lilt, v. i. Etym: [Cf. Norw. lilla, lirla, to sing in a high tone.]

1. To do anything with animation and quickness, as to skip, fly, or hop. [Prov. Eng.] Wordsworth.

2. To sing cheerfully. [Scot.]

Lilt, v. t.

Definition: To utter with spirit, animation, or gayety; to sing with spirit and liveliness. A classic lecture, rich in sentiment, With scraps of thundrous epic lilted out By violet-hooded doctors. Tennyson.

Lilt, n.

1. Animated, brisk motion; spirited rhythm; sprightliness. The movement, the lilt, and the subtle charm of the verse. F. Harrison.

2. A lively song or dance; a cheerful tune. The housewife went about her work, or spun at her wheel, with a lilt upon her lips. J. C. Shairp.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition