ophicleide

[ of-i-klahyd ]

noun

1. a musical wind instrument, a development of the old wooden serpent, consisting of a conical metal tube bent double.

ophicleide

/ ˈɒfɪˌklaɪd /

noun

1. music an obsolete keyed wind instrument of bass pitch

Other Words From

• ophi·cleide·an adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophicleide¹

1825–35; < French ophicléide < Greek óphi ( s ) serpent + kleid- (stem of kleís ) key (akin to Latin clavis; clavicle )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophicleide¹

C19: from French ophiclēide, from Greek ophis snake + kleis key

Example Sentences

Ophicleide, of′i-klīd, n. a large bass trumpet, with a deep pitch.

From Project Gutenberg

"Like an ophicleide," said Gerfaut, who could not help laughing at the importance the artist attached to his display of talent.

From Project Gutenberg

The application of keys to the bugle produced the Kent bugle, and later the ophicleide.

From Project Gutenberg

Those which give out the fundamental tone and harmonics up to the eighth, such as the tubas and ophicleide.

From Project Gutenberg

In the ophicleide, the bass of the key-bugle, the bore is sufficiently wide to produce the fundamentals of a satisfactory quality.

From Project Gutenberg