harpsichord
A stringed musical instrument with a keyboard, the mechanical precusor to the…A stringed musical instrument with a keyboard, the mechanical precusor to the fortepiano, in which each key causes a plectrum to pluck a corresponding tuned string, producing a bright, sharp tone similar to that of a harp.
» Tom certainly plays the harpsichord well.
Meaning
1 sensesA stringed musical instrument with a keyboard, the mechanical precusor to the fortepiano, in which each key causes a plectrum to pluck a corresponding tuned string, producing a bright, sharp tone similar to that of a harp.
Spinett, Cembalo
клавеси́нklavesín
клавеси́нklavesýn
- a clavier with strings that are plucked by plectra mounted on pivots
Examples
15 sentencesTom certainly plays the harpsichord well.
Tom knows how to play the harpsichord.
ruТом умеет играть на клавесине. — Wezel
Who did Tom sell his harpsichord to?
I really like the sound of a harpsichord.
I really like the sound of the harpsichord.
Translations
9 languagesBy meaning 1
By meaning 1
By meaning 1
Origin
Early 1600s, borrowed from French harpechord (“harp string”), from New Latin harpichordiumEarly 1600s, borrowed from French harpechord (“harp string”), from New Latin harpichordium, from harpa (“harp”) + chorda (“string”). Influenced by and possibly also borrowed from Italian arpicordo, producing variant spellings. The unetymological -s-, which predominates by the 1660s, is of unclear origin.
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Forms
plural: harpsichordsSynonyms
1 synonyms- a clavier with strings that are plucked by plectra mounted on pivots:cembalo