spinet
Americannoun
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a small upright piano.
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a small, square piano.
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any of various small harpsichords.
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Also called spinet organ. a small electric organ.
noun
Etymology
Origin of spinet
1655–65; aphetic variant of obsolete espinette < French < Italian spinetta, probably equivalent to spin ( a ) thorn ( spine ) + -etta diminutive suffix; the existence of an instrument-maker named Spinetti is unverified
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Although the previous owner of the spinet piano in Diamond Park has not come forward, the Bernal Heights incident might tease a possible explanation for the appearance of the mysterious instrument.
From Los Angeles Times
The instrument commonly called the "piano" by the way, was originally called a "pianoforte" because it could play dynamics, unlike earlier popular keyboard instruments like the harpsichord and spinet.
From Literature
It was a mahogany spinet, and it was shiny and beautiful.
From Literature
Instruments fill the rooms, including a wooden spinet gifted to Verdi to practise on as a child, while concerts are a regular occurrence.
From The Guardian
At his house, Henry’s office held a spinet piano, a rack of acoustic guitars, a turntable, vintage ribbon microphones and assorted CDs and LPs.
From New York Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
