clavier
[ kluh-veer, klav-ee-er, kley-vee- ]
noun
the keyboard of a musical instrument.
Also kla·vier . any musical instrument having a keyboard, especially a stringed keyboard instrument, as a harpsichord, clavichord, or piano.
Origin of clavier
1First recorded in 1700–10, and in 1835–45 for def. 2; from French: literally, “keyboard,” in Old French “keyholder,” equivalent to Latin clāvi(s) “key” + -ier noun suffix; def. 2 is from German Klavier, in turn from French as above see -ier2
Other words from clavier
- cla·vier·ist, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for clavier
clavier
/ (kləˈvɪə, ˈklævɪə) /
noun
any keyboard instrument
the keyboard itself
Origin of clavier
1C18: from French: keyboard, from Old French (in the sense: key bearer), from Latin clāvis key
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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