castanet
Americannoun
Etymology
Origin of castanet
1640–50; < Spanish castañeta, equivalent to castañ ( a ) chestnut (< Latin castanea ) + -eta diminutive suffix; see -et, -ette
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She beamed and waved as if she held a castanet in each hand—Hi, hi.
From The New Yorker ● Jul. 15, 2019
The band people would throw me a maraca or some kind of castanet or drum.
From New York Times ● Nov. 9, 2018
Buttressing the ensemble of five musicians, a chorus of castanet players appeared in the two main aisles, stretching back through the audience, with one leader onstage.
From New York Times ● Jun. 20, 2016
The dry castanet sound at the start and menacing drum rolls at the end create an unfamiliar effect.
From The Guardian ● Jun. 8, 2013
From the pig-run came the quick, hard patter of hoofs, a castanet sound, seductive, maddening-the promise of meat.
From "Lord of the Flies" by William Golding
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
