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chalumeau

American  
[shal-yuh-moh, sha-ly-moh] / ˌʃæl jəˈmoʊ, ʃa lüˈmoʊ /

noun

  • chalumeaux
    plural
  1. Music. the low register of the clarinet.

  2. a 17th- or 18th-century woodwind instrument.


Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of chalumeau

1705–15; < French: originally, flute made from a reed, stem of a reed; Old French chalemel < Late Latin calamellus narrow reed; see calamus, -elle

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.

See Examples For:

Sévère’s tone was rounded and mellow, rich in the low chalumeau register and clarion bright at the top, without becoming harsh in the small hall.

From Washington Post ● Mar. 31, 2015

Nina Stern, who played recorders and chalumeau, a precursor of the clarinet, has made her home at the intersection of early and Middle Eastern music.

From New York Times ● May 6, 2013

Calumet in general signifies a pipe, being a Norman word, derived from chalumeau.

From The Conquest of Canada (Vol. 1 of 2) by George Warburton

A chalumeau without keys, but consisting apparently of three joints—mouthpiece, main tube and bell,—is figured on the title-page of a musical work22 dated 1690; it is very similar to the one represented in fig.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various

Can we be sure that the same result was not obtained on the old chalumeau before keys were added, by partially uncovering the hole for the thumb?

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" by Various

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