musical glasses

American  

plural noun

1. a set of drinking glasses filled with varying amounts of water to produce ringing tones of different pitches when the player's finger is rubbed around the wet rims.

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musical glasses British  

plural noun

1. another term for glass harmonica

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Etymology

Origin of musical glasses

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

Tribute to Foster''* which called for the use of musical glasses and bowls.

From Time Magazine Archive

Hopeful sufferers sat around the tubs clutching at protruding iron rods while harmoniums, pianos and musical glasses tinkled and Mesmer and assistants in purple silk coats hovered about.

From Time Magazine Archive

How my heart bounded at the notion of refinement, culture, elevated minds, and polished habits; "science," indeed, and the "musical glasses," all for one hundred and sixty pounds per annum.

From A Day's Ride A Life's Romance by Lever, Charles James

"Prince," said Edward Ambrose, "let us go and talk Shakespeare and the musical glasses."

From The Sailor by Snaith, J. C.

In vain did musical glasses and harmonicas resound, the piano and voices re-echo; these supposed aids only seemed to increase the patients' convulsive movements.

From Complete Hypnotism, Mesmerism, Mind-Reading and Spiritualism How to Hypnotize: Being an Exhaustive and Practical System of Method, Application, and Use by Alpheus, A.