Dit"ty (?), n.; pl. Ditties (#). [OE. dite, OF. diti'e, fr. L. dictatum, p. p. neut. of dictare to say often, dictate, compose. See Dictate, v. t.]
1.
A saying or utterance; especially, one that is short and frequently repeated; a theme.
O, too high ditty for my simple rhyme.
Spenser.
2.
A song; a lay; a little poem intended to be sung.
"Religious, martial, or civil
ditties."
Milton.<
And to the warbling lute soft ditties sing.
Sandys.
© Webster 1913.
Dit"ty, v. i.
To sing; to warble a little tune.
Beasts fain would sing; birds ditty to their notes.
Herbert.
© Webster 1913.