aeolian harp

American  

noun

1. a box with an opening across which are stretched a number of strings of equal length that are tuned in unison and sounded by the wind.

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aeolian harp British  

noun

1. Also called: wind harp.  a stringed instrument that produces a musical sound when a current of air or wind passes over the strings

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Etymology

Origin of aeolian harp

First recorded in 1785–95

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

aeolian harp

"But how could there be an aeolian harp up here?" said Arctura.

From Donal Grant, by George MacDonald by MacDonald, George

It is like a bee going from flower to flower, a teasing, plundering, wayward zephyr, an aeolian harp, a ray of furtive light stealing through the leaves.

From Library of the World's Best Literature, Ancient and Modern — Volume 1 by Runkle, Lucia Isabella Gilbert

It sounds just like an aeolian harp on which the chords of a solemn tune are struck.

From Guy Garrick by Reeve, Arthur B. (Arthur Benjamin)

Her voice, Sir Norman thought, was the sweetest he had ever heard, musical as a chime of silver bells, soft as the tones of an aeolian harp through which the west wind plays.

From The Midnight Queen by Fleming, May Agnes

"Thou hast tarried long, my lover," she said in a low sweet voice that was the distant note of aeolian harp, or summer zephyr soughing through the pines.

From Brann the Iconoclast — Volume 01 by Brann, William Cowper