\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.

\Dit"ty\, v. i.
To sing; to warble a little tune.
      Beasts fain would sing; birds ditty to their notes.
                                               --Herbert.