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 Castanets were originally made from chestnuts and get their name from the Spanish diminutive for chestnut.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

Instead, the Ballet Nacional de España began its program on March 8 with “Invocación Bolera,” a modern evocation of the 18th-century escuela bolero, which is essentially Baroque ballet with Spanish poses and castanets.

From New York Times ● Mar. 18, 2024

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

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

From Fox News ● Jun. 13, 2021

A firm drumbeat and dramatic flourishes — castanets, chimes, maracas — added to the grandeur.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 17, 2021

In a few of the sketches, I paint Abuela Celia just the way she wants—dancing flamenco with whirling red skirts and castanets and a tight satin bodice.

From "Dreaming in Cuban" by Cristina García