clar·i·net (klār'ə-nět') n. A woodwind instrument having a straight cylindrical tube with a flaring bell and a single-reed mouthpiece, played by means of finger holes and keys.
[French clarinette, feminine diminutive of Old French clarin, clarion, clarion; see clarion, or of Provençal clarin, oboe (from Old Provençal clar, clear, from Latin clārus; see clear).] clar'i·net'ist, clar'i·net'tist n.
A woodwind instrument, usually made of black wood or plastic, and played with a single reed. The clarinet has extensive use in Dixieland, jazz, and military music, as well as in classical music.
Note: The most famous American clarinetist was Benny Goodman.
1796, from Fr. clarinette, dim. of clarine "little bell," from fem. of adj. clarin, from clair, cler (see clear). The instrument said to have been invented c.1700 by J.C. Denner of Nuremberg, Germany. Alternate form clarionet is attested from 1784.