I. To sing a thing off, to repeat in a singing manner (v. cano and canto).
A. Usually with the secondary idea of something trite, worn out, absurd; to repeat often, to say over and over again ( = semper repetere, in ore habere; cf. “cantilena): nec mihi opus est Graeco aliquo doctore, qui mihi pervulgata praecepta decantet,” Cic. de Or. 2, 18, 75: “causas,” id. ib. 2, 32, 140; id. Fin. 4, 4, 10; id. Att. 13, 34; Quint. 12, 8, 3; Hor. Ep. 1, 1, 64 al.—
B. Without this unfavorable idea: “miserabiles elegos,” Hor. Od. 1, 33, 3: Ἅλωσιν Ilii in scenico habitu, to recite, rehearse, * Suet. Ner. 38: “tribus,” to proclaim, Luc. 5, 394.—
C. Esp., to repeat as a charm, and hence to bewitch, enchant, charm: “nullo decantatus carmine,” App. M. 3, p. 138, 35: “verbis et amplexibus aliquem,” id. ib. 5, p. 165, 6; id. ib. 3, p. 137, 12; Vulg. Isa. 54, 1 al.—
II. Intr.
A. (Acc. to de, no. II. 2. b.) To leave off singing: “jam decantaverant ( = cantare, deplorare desierant),” had given over lamenting, Cic. Tusc. 3, 22, 53.—
B. To play (upon an instrument): “decantandi jus tibicinibus ademit,” Aur. Vict. Vir. Illust. 34, 1.
