clavichord

[ klav-i-kawrd ]
See synonyms for clavichord on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an early keyboard instrument producing a soft sound by means of metal blades attached to the inner ends of the keys gently striking the strings.

Origin of clavichord

1
1425–75; late Middle English <Medieval Latin clāvichordium, equivalent to Latin clāvi(s) key + chord(a) chord2 + -ium-ium

Other words from clavichord

  • clav·i·chord·ist, noun

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British Dictionary definitions for clavichord

clavichord

/ (ˈklævɪˌkɔːd) /


noun
  1. a keyboard instrument consisting of a number of thin wire strings struck from below by brass tangents. The instrument is noted for its delicate tones, since the tangents do not rebound from the string until the key is released

Origin of clavichord

1
C15: from Medieval Latin clāvichordium, from Latin clāvis key + chorda string, chord 1

Derived forms of clavichord

  • clavichordist, noun

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