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clavicembalo

American  
[klav-i-chem-buh-loh] / ˌklæv ɪˈtʃɛm bəˌloʊ /

noun

  • clavicembali
    plural
  1. a harpsichord.


clavicembalo British  
/ ˌklævɪˈtʃɛmbələʊ /

noun

  1. another name for harpsichord

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

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Nouns

Etymology

Origin of clavicembalo

1730–40; < Italian < Medieval Latin clāvicymbalum, equivalent to Latin clāvi ( s ) key + cymbalum cymbal

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:

These instruments were called bundfrei, “unbound,” in opposition to the clavicembalo, which was called gebunden, or “bound.”

From Critical and Historical Essays Lectures delivered at Columbia University by Baltzell, W. J. (Winton James)

This instrument was probably an upright harpsichord or clavicembalo.

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

To this group belonged the virginal, or virginals, the clavicembalo, the harpsichord, or clavecin, and the spinet.

From For Every Music Lover A Series of Practical Essays on Music by Moore, Aubertine Woodward

This made it possible to use one string for several different notes, and explains why the clavichord or clavicembalo needed comparatively few strings.

From Critical and Historical Essays Lectures delivered at Columbia University by Baltzell, W. J. (Winton James)

They had organs, lutes, viols, lyres, harps, citherns, horns, and a kind of primitive piano known as the clavichord or the clavicembalo.

From The Age of the Reformation by Smith, Preserved

Behind these is an orchestra of lutes, clavicembali, and other instruments, in tune with the voices.

From Some Forerunners of Italian Opera by Henderson, W. J. (William James)

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