tintinnabulum

[ tin-ti-nab-yuh-luhm ]

noun

, plural tin·tin·nab·u·la [tin-ti-, nab, -y, uh, -l, uh].

1. a small, tinkling bell or a set of bells played in succession.

tintinnabulum

/ ˌtɪntɪˈnæbjʊləm /

noun

1. a small high-pitched bell

Word History and Origins

Origin of tintinnabulum¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin tintinnābulum “a bell,” derivative of tintinnāre “to ring, jangle,” reduplicated form of tintinnīre “to ring, jingle,” of imitative origin + -bulum noun suffix denoting instrument or vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of tintinnabulum¹

C16: from Latin, from tintinnāre to tinkle, from tinnīre to ring; see tinnitus

Example Sentences

Sed fieri non potest quin tintinnabulum aliquando feli adnectatur.

From Project Gutenberg

Even in general habit and tint of colour, this species has a different aspect from B. tintinnabulum.

From Project Gutenberg

The waggon-horse cels cervice eminens clarumque jactans tintinnabulum.

From Project Gutenberg

Often, in the repose of my mid-day, there reaches my ears a confused tintinnabulum from without.

From Project Gutenberg

These small bells were known at Rome from the earliest times, and called from their sounds tintinnabulum.

From Project Gutenberg