shawm

American  

[shawm] / ʃɔm /

noun

1. an early musical woodwind instrument with a double reed: the forerunner of the modern oboe.

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shawm British  

/ ʃɔːm /

noun

1. music a medieval form of the oboe with a conical bore and flaring bell, blown through a double reed

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Etymology

Origin of shawm

1300–50; Middle English schalme < Middle French chaume < Latin calamus stalk, reed < Greek kálamos reed; replacing Middle English schallemele < Middle French chalemel ( see chalumeau)

Example Sentences

Shawm, Shalm, shawm, n. a musical instrument of the oboe class, having a double reed enclosed in a globular mouthpiece.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 4 of 4: S-Z and supplements) by Various

One son of Hosein's, insensible from fever at the time, was spared from the sacrifice, and, with the females and young children, taken prisoners to the King's palace at Shawm.

From Observations on the Mussulmauns of India Descriptive of Their Manners, Customs, Habits and Religious Opinions Made During a Twelve Years' Residence in Their Immediate Society by Crooke, William

Elated with these flattering indications, he too promptly despatched his messengers to Hosein, urging his immediate return to Shawm.

From Observations on the Mussulmauns of India Descriptive of Their Manners, Customs, Habits and Religious Opinions Made During a Twelve Years' Residence in Their Immediate Society by Crooke, William

It is not known exactly when the change took place, but it was probably during the 17th century, after the Schalmey or Shawm had been transformed into the oboe.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 7, Slice 4 "Coquelin" to "Costume" by Various

At last, those which are blown, as with the mouth, the Flute, 24. the Shawm, 25. the Bag-pipe, 26. the Cornet, 27. the Trumpet, 28, 29. or with Bellows, as a pair of Organs, 30.

From The Orbis Pictus by Hoole, Charles