chalumeau
Americannoun
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chalumeaux
plural
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Music. the low register of the clarinet.
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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.
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
This name of clarinet, or clarionet, became accepted for the entire instrument, including the chalumeau register.
From Scientific American Supplement No. 819, September 12, 1891 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
The Hotteterre chaunter, known as le petit chalumeau, had six keys, whereas the grand chalumeau had seven, besides eight finger-holes and a vent-hole in the bell.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2 "Baconthorpe" to "Bankruptcy" by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
