clef

American  

[klef] / klɛf /

noun

Music.

1. a symbol placed upon a staff to indicate the name and pitch of the notes corresponding to its lines and spaces.

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clef British  

/ klɛf /

noun

1. one of several symbols placed on the left-hand side beginning of each stave indicating the pitch of the music written after it See also alto clef bass clef C clef soprano clef tenor clef treble clef

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Etymology

Origin of clef

1570–80; < Middle French < Latin clāvis key

Related Words

• conceive
• design
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