castanet

[ kas-tuh-net ]

noun

1. either of a pair of concave pieces of wood held in the palm of the hand and clicked together, usually to accompany dancing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of castanet¹

1640–50; < Spanish castañeta, equivalent to castañ ( a ) chestnut (< Latin castanea ) + -eta diminutive suffix; -et, -ette

Example Sentences

When threatened, the creatures flap furiously toward freedom, “opening and closing their shells like panicked castanets.”

From MIT Technology Review

By the end of that time his tongue was making sounds like a muffled castanet, and his resolution was scorched out of him.

From Project Gutenberg

He shook the door by the iron handle until the latch clattered like a castanet: there was no sound from within.

From Project Gutenberg

Where the two were missing he carried the stem of his pipe, and when he talked the stem clicked, like a Castanet.

From Project Gutenberg

Again he clinks his metal castanet, and leads us leisurely away.

From Project Gutenberg

And now the trio was a trio of castanet smacks and cymbal claps.

From Project Gutenberg