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

The wires Davie speaks of may be the strings of an aeolian harp!

From Donal Grant, by George MacDonald by MacDonald, George

Mary, who was as sensitive to changes in manner as an aeolian harp is to the slightest breeze, looked at her hostess quickly and noticed the red rims on her eyelids.

From The Motor Maids' School Days by Stokes, Katherine

The voice was hers, and made strange echoes start Through all the haunted chambers of his heart, As an aeolian harp through gusty doors Of some old ruin its wild music pours.

From The Complete Poems of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow by Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth

This life of ours is a wild aeolian harp of many a joyous strain, But under them all there runs a loud perpetual wail, as of souls in pain.

From The Complete Poems of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow by Longfellow, Henry Wadsworth

The wind blowing through the baling wire which anchored the stove-pipe to the wall sounded like an aeolian harp played by a maniac.

From The Dude Wrangler by Lockhart, Caroline