concertina

[ kon-ser-tee-nuh ]

noun

1. a musical instrument resembling an accordion but having buttonlike keys, hexagonal bellows and ends, and a more limited range.
2. concertina wire.

verb (used without object)

, con·cer·ti·naed [kon-ser-, tee, -n, uh, d], con·cer·ti·na·ing [kon-ser-, tee, -n, uh, -ing].

1. to fold, crush together, or collapse in the manner of a concertina:

   The car concertinaed when it hit the truck.

verb (used with object)

, con·cer·ti·naed [kon-ser-, tee, -n, uh, d], con·cer·ti·na·ing [kon-ser-, tee, -n, uh, -ing].

1. to cause to fold or collapse in the manner of a concertina.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or resembling a concertina:

   concertina pleats.

concertina

/ ˌkɒnsəˈtiːnə /

noun

1. a small hexagonal musical instrument of the reed organ family in which metallic reeds are vibrated by air from a set of bellows operated by the player's hands. Notes are produced by pressing buttons

verb

1. intr to collapse or fold up like a concertina

Derived Forms

• ˌconcerˈtinist, noun

Other Words From

• concer·tinist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of concertina¹

Apparently coined by the original instrument's inventor, English instrument-maker Charles Wheatstone (1802–75), who patented it in 1829; concertino, seraphina a similar instrument

Word History and Origins

Origin of concertina¹

C19: concert + -ina

Example Sentences

When faced with smaller smooth branches or poles, snakes typically climb them using a form of movement called concertina locomotion.

From Popular-Science

Only the depressingly high concertina-wired fence with watchtowers is a reminder of the dangers of female education here.

From The Daily Beast

At a meeting of prominent Zabul women, she casually mentioned that her office needed a higher fence and concertina wire.

From The Daily Beast

There is concertina barbed wire going up on parts of the border between Bangladesh and India.

From The Daily Beast

The music of a concertina rose and fell, like the sighing of some disillusioned spirit.

From Project Gutenberg

One night five musicians relieved each other at the task of playing the tune on a concertina outside his door.

From Project Gutenberg

Because It only needs to be carefully sat on to make an excellent and noiseless substitute for the concertina.

From Project Gutenberg

The bonnet that covered the engine, crinkled up like a concertina; but the car held the track.

From Project Gutenberg

He could hear Bob playing: "Way down upon de Suwannee ribber" on his concertina, and it made him nice and sad.

From Project Gutenberg