castanets
Britishplural noun
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 Castanets were originally made from chestnuts and get their name from the Spanish diminutive for chestnut.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.
Vocabulary lists containing castanets
Music to My Ears: Instrumental Vocab
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Bob Dylan Wins Nobel Prize in Literature
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2015 Spelling Bee - Words from Round 2
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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.
Eighteen dancers in period attire filled the stage, their castanets adding a chattering commentary to neat ballet jumps and turns, making them buzz.
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
She dressed in an elaborate cloak, wielded a guitar and castanets and, when it was her turn to step into the center of the group and dance, did her best to master complex choreography.
From Los Angeles Times ● Nov. 1, 2022
During her final years, Hayworth pursued her passions for oil painting, playing the castanets and golfing.
From Fox News ● Jun. 13, 2021
With the tip of her painted fingernail, the dancer salesgirl showed the miniature castanets the doll was holding.
From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez
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