chorist
(ˈkɒrɪst, ˈkɔərɪst)
Also 6 choriste.
[a. F. choriste, ad. med.L. chorista singer in a choir, f. chorus choir; or f. chor-us + -ist.]
† 1. A member of a choir. Obs.
| 1538 Leland Itin. I. 15 A Collegiate Paroche Chirch of a 3 Prestes, 2 Clerkes, and 4 Choristes. 1611 Cotgr., Choriste, a Chorist; a singing man in a Queere. 1669 Woodhead St. Teresa ii. xi. 94 Two Nuns; one a Chorist; the other a Lay-sister. 1744 Lewis Life Pecocke 7 A Master, four fellows..Clerks, conducts, chorists, etc. 1766 Entick London IV. 354. |
† b. transf. A feathered chorister. Obs.
| 1763 Brit. Mag. IV. 325 Now woodland chorists sing. |
2. Gr. Antiq. A member of the chorus in the ancient Greek drama.
| 1762 J. Brown Poetry & Mus. §6 (1763) 135 The Poet's Character became quite distinct from that of Chorist, Actor, or Dancer. 1853 Grote Greece XI. ii. lxxxiii. 38 He [Dionysius]..sent reciters and chorists, skilful as well as highly trained, to exhibit his own poetical compositions. |
3. a. One who sings in a chorus. b. One who joins in the chorus of a song (nonce-use).
| 1835 Fraser's Mag. XI. 425 The emotions actuating the chorists in a good drinking-song. 1865 Anthenæum No. 1956. 558/3 The orchestra and the chorists. |