chanson de geste

[ shahn-sawn duh zhest ]

noun

, plural chan·sons de geste [shah, n, -saw, n, d, uh, , zhest].

1. (in medieval French literature) an epic poem written in assonant verse or rhyme about historical or legendary events or figures.

chanson de geste

/ ʃɑ̃sɔ̃ də ʒɛst /

noun

1. one of a genre of Old French epic poems celebrating heroic deeds, the most famous of which is the Chanson de Roland

Word History and Origins

Origin of chanson de geste¹

1865–70; < French: literally, song of deeds; chanson, gest

Word History and Origins

Origin of chanson de geste¹

literally: song of exploits

Example Sentences

Cest la chanson de geste qui continue: cest la croisade qui nest point finie, cest Dieu transparaissant travers la France purifie.

From Project Gutenberg

And the chanson de geste proper, as Frenchmen are entitled to boast, never quite deserts this matière de France.

From Project Gutenberg

When this subject or group of subjects palled, the very form of the chanson de geste was lost.

From Project Gutenberg

Gaston Paris defined a chanson de geste as a song the subject of which is a series of historical facts or gesta.

From Project Gutenberg

Yet the matter was fit for legend and romance; and a late impotent chanson de geste was formed out of the career of du Guesclin.

From Project Gutenberg