cantor

< /geɪˈɔrk/, 1845–1918, German mathematician, born in Russia.

noun

1. Also called: chazan Judaism a man employed to lead synagogue services, esp to traditional modes and melodies
2. Christianity the leader of the singing in a church choir

n.

1530s, “church song-leader,” from Latin cantor “singer, poet, actor,” agent noun from past participle stem of canere “to sing” (see chant (v.)). Applied in English to the Hebrew chazan from 1893.