For forms see prec. [a. OF. caroler, f. carole; see prec. The derivative forms in -ed, -ing, -er, are now most commonly spelt (in England) with ll (carolled, etc.) though for no good reason: cf. F. caroler, carolant, caroleur.]
† 1. intr. To dance in a ring to the accompaniment of song; to dance and sing, make merry. Obs.
a. 1300. Cursor M., 7600. [Þar] karold [Gött. dauncid] wimmen be þe wai.
1303. R. Brunne, Handl. Synne, 9041. Þese wommen ȝede and tollede here oute Wyþ hem to karolle þe cherche aboute. Ibid., 9138. Þese men þat ȝede so karollande Alle þat ȝere hande yn hande.
c. 1400. Rom. Rose, 810. I wolde have karoled right fayn, As man that was to daunce right blithe.
c. 1530. Ld. Berners, Arth. Lyt. Bryt. (1814), 327. Ladyes and damoyselles did carowle and sing.
2. To sing, orig. in accompaniment to a dance. Now usually: To sing a lively or joyous strain. (Chiefly poet.)
c. 1369. Chaucer, Dethe Blaunche, 848. I sawe her daunce so comely, Carol and sing so swetely.
1393. Gower, Conf., III. 30. If she carole upon a songe, Whan I it here, I am so fed.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 62. Caroolyn, or synge carowlys [P. carallyn], psalmodio.
1579. Spenser, Sheph. Cal., Feb. Tho wouldest thou learne to caroll of love.
1633. P. Fletcher, Pisc. Ecl., xi. i. And carol lowd of love, and loves delight.
1791. Cowper, Iliad, XVIII. 712. Carolling to it with a slender voice.
1853. De Quincey, Sp. Mil. Nun, viii. 17. Juvenal’s qualification for carolling gaily through a forest full of robbers.
b. ironically.
1440. J. Shirley, Dethe K. James (1818), 18. Sirs the spows is foundon, wherfore we bene cumne, and all this nyght haf carold here.
c. transf. of the warbling of birds, etc.
1595. Spenser, Epithal., 79. Hark, how the cheerfull birds do chaunt … And carroll of Loves praise.
1768. Beattie, Minstr., I. v. Where the grey linnets carol from the hill.
1830. Tennyson, Sea-Fairies. Merrily merrily carol the gales.
3. trans. a. with cognate object.
1575. Laneham, Lett. (1871), 60. Then carroll I vp a song withall.
1589. Greene, Menaphon (Arb.), 37. To carroll out this roundelay.
1718. Prior, 2nd Hymn Callimachus, 8, Poems (1725), II. 58 (R.). Why do … hov’ring Swans, their Throats releas’d From native Silence, carol Sounds harmonious?
1797. Philanthrope, No. 25. 195.
| And many a feather’d warbler there, | |
| At rising or declining day, | |
| Carrol’d the melodious lay. |
1859. Tennyson, Elaine, 700. Carolling as he went A true-love ballad.
b. To sing of, celebrate in song.
1634. Milton, Comus, 849. The shepherds … Carol her goodness loud in rustic lays.
1683. Chalkhill, Thealma & Cl., 40. Shepherds Swains still Carol out her Fame.
1774. Westm. Mag., II. 374. The Muse That carrol’d Sir John Hill!
