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 Castanets were originally made from chestnuts and get their name from the Spanish diminutive for chestnut.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

Rachel Peacock said it "brought a lump to my throat" when the castanets were put in Sara's hand and she started playing them along to the flamenco music.

From BBC ● May 2, 2023

Jokes aside, those early experiences of singing, dancing and playing guitar and castanets were formative.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 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

During her final years, Hayworth pursued her passions for oil painting, playing the castanets and golfing.

From Fox News ● Jun. 13, 2021

The women began a dance in which the roses were held in their mouths, and their castanets clacked a merciless thank you to the men.

From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez