cantillate

First attested in 1864; borrowed from Latin cantillō (“to sing”), from cantillātus + -ō, see -ate (verb-forming suffix).

cantillate (third-person singular simple present cantillates, present participle cantillating, simple past and past participle cantillated)

1. To chant, or to recite musically (especially in a synagogue).
   • 1996, Macy Nulman, The Encyclopedia of Jewish Prayer, page 264:

     Some recite this portion by cantillating each verse twice and then saying the Targum.

   • 2025 January 7, Lauren J. A. Bear, Mother of Rome, Penguin Group, →ISBN, page 97:

     Five women [in the Temple of Vesta ...] were cantillating—Vesta this and Vesta that—all robed in identical white dresses, with white wool scarves wrapped several times about their heads.

• cantillation

• Cattellian

cantillāte

1. second-person plural present active imperative of cantillō