Pronunciation: [kˈantə͡ʊ] (IPA) 
Canto is a musical term that refers to a specific section of a larger work, such as an opera or a choral composition. The word is pronounced as /ˈkænto/ in IPA phonetic transcription. The spelling of the word follows the traditional rules of English spelling, with the letter "c" representing the /k/ consonant sound and the combination of letters "an" and "to" representing the vowel sounds /æ/ and /oʊ/ respectively.
Canto is a noun that refers to a division or section of a long poem or epic. Derived from the Italian word "canto," meaning "song" or "chant," it is often used in the context of ancient and epic poetry, particularly in works like Dante's "Divine Comedy" or Homer's "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey."
In the context of a lengthy poem, a canto serves as a distinct unit within the larger composition. It is characterized by its own narrative, theme, or purpose and usually contains a number of verses or stanzas. Cantos often contribute to the overall structure and plot development of the poem and may provide a sense of episodic progression or break in the story.
Cantos are often numbered or named, allowing readers to navigate through the poem and locate specific portions. They provide a way to organize and group related content, creating a sense of order and coherence within the text. Additionally, cantos can represent different moods, perspectives, or events, contributing to the richness and complexity of the poem as a whole.
Overall, the concept of a canto aids in the comprehension and analysis of long poems or epics, providing a framework for understanding the structure, narrative flow, and thematic progression of these literary works.
A part or division of a poem; in music, the leading part; a song.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "canto" originates from the Italian language. It stems from the Latin word "cantus", which means "song" or "singing". The term "canto" is primarily used in literature to refer to a major division of a long poem, particularly in works like Dante's "Divine Comedy" or epic poems like Homer's "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey". It signifies a section or a chapter within a larger poetic composition.
