Car"ol (?), n. [OF. carole a
kind of dance wherein many dance together, fr. caroler to
dance; perh. from Celtic; cf. Armor. koroll, n.,
korolla, korolli, v., Ir. car music, turn,
circular motion, also L. choraula a flute player,
charus a dance, chorus, choir.] 1. A
round dance. [Obs.] Chaucer.
2. A song of joy, exultation, or mirth; a
lay.
The costly feast, the carol, and the
dance.
Dryden
It was the carol of a bird.
Byron.
3. A song of praise of devotion; as, a
Christmas or Easter carol.
Heard a carol, mournful, holy.
Tennyson.
In the darkness sing your carol of high
praise.
Keble.
4. Joyful music, as of a song.
I heard the bells on Christmans Day
Their old, familiar carol play.
Longfellow.
Car"ol (?), v. t. [imp. &
p. p. Caroled (?), or Carolled;
p. pr. & vb. n. Caroling, or
Carolling.]
1. To praise or celebrate in
song.
The Shepherds at their festivals
Carol her goodness.
Milton.
2. To sing, especially with joyful
notes.
Hovering swans . . . carol sounds
harmonious.
Prior.
Car"ol, v. i. To sing; esp. to
sing joyfully; to warble.
And carol of love's high praise.
Spenser.
The gray linnets carol from the hill.
Beattie.
{ Car"ol, Car"rol }, n.
[OF. carole a sort of circular space, or carol.]
(Arch.) A small closet or inclosure built against a
window on the inner side, to sit in for study. The word was used
as late as the 16th century.
A bay window may thus be called a
carol.
Parker.
