castanets

British  

/ ˌkæstəˈnɛts /

plural noun

1. curved pieces of hollow wood, usually held between the fingers and thumb and made to click together: used esp by Spanish dancers

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Etymology

Origin of castanets

C17 castanet, from Spanish castañeta, diminutive of castaña _chestnut

Explanation

Castanets are a Spanish percussion instrument. Castanets are clicked together in rhythm with music and dance. This plural noun is the name of a percussion instrument consisting of round pieces of shell, wood, or bone held in the fingers. Castanets were originally made from chestnuts and get their name from the Spanish diminutive for chestnut. Like drums, shakers, and other percussion instruments, castanets help create the rhythm in a piece of music. Castanets tend to be part of rhythmically lively music that makes people want to dance. Castanets are also called bones, clappers, and finger cymbals.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

castanets

She still has her wooden castanets from about 80 years ago and can still, just about, raise her leg to her head.

From BBC ● May 2, 2023

She dressed in an elaborate cloak, wielded a guitar and castanets and, when it was her turn to step into the center of the group and dance, did her best to master complex choreography.

From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2022

In the tango that followed, what was previously implied in rhythm became literal in exotic-Spain castanets, and the closing tarantella took itself too seriously.

From New York Times ● Feb. 25, 2022

He also played all the instruments: autoharp, kazoo, celeste, bongo drums, castanets, tambourine, three-octave pump organ.

From The New Yorker ● Dec. 12, 2018

He cleared the crud from his vision just in time to see the boy run off, the rattraps clattering like castanets on the toes of his shoes.

From "Hoot" by Carl Hiaasen