Definition of "lilt"

lilt

/lɪlt/

verb
third-person singular simple present lilts, present participle lilting, simple past and past participle lilted
1. To do something rhythmically, with animation and quickness, usually of music.
  Quotations
  Whether the bird flit here or there, O'er table lilt , or perch on chair
  a. 1851, William Wordsworth, “The Redbreast”, in Henry [Hope] Reed, editor, The Complete Poetical Works of William Wordsworth, Philadelphia, Pa.: Hayes & Zell, […], published 1860
2. To sing cheerfully, especially in Gaelic.
3. To utter with spirit, animation, or gaiety; to sing with spirit and liveliness.
  Quotations
  A classic lecture, rich in sentiment, / With scraps of thunderous epic lilted out / By violet-hooded doctors.
  1847, Alfred Tennyson, “(please specify the page number, or |part=Prologue, I to VII, or conclusion)”, in The Princess: A Medley, London: Edward Moxon, […]
noun
plural lilts
1. Animated, brisk motion; spirited rhythm; sprightliness.
2. A lively song or dance; a cheerful tune.
3. A cheerful or melodious accent when speaking.
  Quotations
  Though Bane’s sing-song voice gives his pronouncements a funny lilt, he doesn’t have any of the Joker’s deranged wit, and Nolan isn’t interested in undercutting his seriousness for the sake of a breezier entertainment.
  July 18 2012, Scott Tobias, AV Club, The Dark Knight Rises (review)