castanets

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of castanets¹

C17 castanet, from Spanish castañeta, diminutive of castaña chestnut

Example Sentences

The young knights to prove their hardihood danced in the armor worn all day,—chain mail jingling in time to the castanets.

From Project Gutenberg

The castanets are made of ebony, and are generally decorated with bunches of smart ribbons, which play a great part in the dance.

From Project Gutenberg

I expected to hear your teeth chattering together like castanets.

From Project Gutenberg

Carmen was squatting down near me, and every now and then she would rattle her castanets and hum a tune.

From Project Gutenberg

The Wasp laughed a little hard laugh, clear and inhuman as the snap and rattle of Spanish castanets.

From Project Gutenberg