shanty

views updated May 29 2018

shan·ty1 / ˈshantē/ • n. (pl. -ties) a small, crudely built shack.shan·ty2 • n. (pl. -ties) variant spelling of chantey.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

shanty

views updated Jun 27 2018

shanty (chanty). Sailors’ work-song, originating in days of sailing ships, sung while pulling together on a rope and helping to secure rhythmic unanimity. ‘Shanty man’, placed apart, sang the tune, the rest joining in ch. Tune and words are traditional. Famous examples are Shenandoah, The Rio Grande, What shall we do with the drunken sailor?, etc.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE

shanty

views updated Jun 08 2018

shanty1 roughly built cabin or hut. XIX (first in N. Amer. use). perh. — Canadian F. chantier.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

shanty

views updated Jun 08 2018

shanty2 sailor's song. XIX. app. corruption of F. chantez, imper. of chanter sing.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

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