bourdon

[boor-dn, bawr-, bohr-]

noun

Music.

1. 1. the drone pipe of a bagpipe.

   2. the drone string of a stringed instrument.

2. a low-pitched tone; bass.

3. a pipe organ stop of very low pitch.

4. the bell in a carillon having the lowest pitch.

bourdon

/ ˈbɔːdən, ˈbʊədən /

noun

1. a 16-foot organ stop of the stopped diapason type

2. the drone of a bagpipe

3. a drone or pedal point in the bass of a harmonized melody

Word History and Origins

Origin of bourdon¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French; burden ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of bourdon¹

C14: from Old French: drone (of a musical instrument), of imitative origin

Example Sentences

Worcester Cathedral's bourdon bell was similarly struck 99 times in honour of the duke.

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“I will miss the bourdon Emmanuel chiming the twelve coups de minuit” — the stroke of midnight — “so loud and solemn, which can be heard eight miles away.”

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The so-called “bourdon”, the largest bell, goes by the name of “Emmanuel”.

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At the cathedral, the coffin was brought into the vast chamber and a bourdon bell tolled.

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They will all be tuned to the great bourdon bell Emmanuel.

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