n. [ F., fr. L. cantion song. See Cantion, Canzone. ] A song. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

‖ [ F., prop., song of history. ] Any Old French epic poem having for its subject events or exploits of early French history, real or legendary, and written originally in assonant verse of ten or twelve syllables. The most famous one is the Chanson de Roland.

Langtoft had written in the ordinary measure of the later chansons de geste. Saintsbury. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

‖n.; pl. Chansonnettes [ F., dim. of chanson. ] A little song. [ 1913 Webster ]

These pretty little chansonnettes that he sung. Black. [ 1913 Webster ]