chalumeau
Americannoun
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Music. the low register of the clarinet.
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a 17th- or 18th-century woodwind instrument.
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
The compass of the improved musette of Hotteterre was as shown:— the eight holes of the grand chalumeau. the seven keys of the grand chalumeau. the six keys of the petit chalumeau.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 3, Part 1, Slice 2 "Baconthorpe" to "Bankruptcy" by Various
Calumet in general signifies a pipe, being a Norman word, derived from chalumeau.
From The Conquest of Canada (Vol. 1 of 2) by Warburton, George
This early clarinet or improved chalumeau has a clarinet mouthpiece, but no bulb; it measures 50 cm.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 6, Slice 4 "Cincinnatus" to "Cleruchy" 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.
