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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This

tim·pa·ni

Audio Help [tim-puh-nee] Pronunciation Key

–noun (used with a singular or plural verb

)

a set of kettledrums, esp. as used in an orchestra or band.

Also, tympani.

[Origin: < It, pl. of timpano kettledrum < L tympanum < Gk týmpanon

]

—Related forms

tim·pa·nist, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Timpani

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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

tim·pa·ni also tym·pa·ni Audio Help (tĭm'pə-nē) Pronunciation Key
pl.n. (used with a sing. or pl. verb)
A set of kettledrums.

[Italian, pl. of timpano, kettledrum, from Latin tympanum, drum; see tympanum.]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
timpani

1876, plural of timpano (1740), from It. timpani "drums," from L. tympanum "drum" (see tympanum).

WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This

timpani
noun
a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it [syn: kettle]