clavichord

American  

[klav-i-kawrd] / ˈklæv ɪˌkɔrd /

noun

1. an early keyboard instrument producing a soft sound by means of metal blades attached to the inner ends of the keys gently striking the strings.

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clavichord British  

/ ˈklævɪˌkɔːd /

noun

1. a keyboard instrument consisting of a number of thin wire strings struck from below by brass tangents. The instrument is noted for its delicate tones, since the tangents do not rebound from the string until the key is released

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Other Word Forms

• clavichordist
  noun

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Etymology

Origin of clavichord

1425–75; late Middle English < Medieval Latin clāvichordium, equivalent to Latin clāvi ( s ) key + chord ( a ) chord ² + -ium -ium

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Compare meaning

How does clavichord compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• clavichord vs. harpsichord

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Explanation

A clavichord is an old-fashioned instrument that looks like a small piano. You play a clavichord by pressing keys on a keyboard. A clavichord sounds similar to a piano but much softer—for this reason, these instruments were most often used to compose and practice music rather than to perform it. During the late medieval period through the early 19th century, the clavichord was very popular, especially in Germany and Scandinavia. The word clavichord combines the Latin clavis, "a key," and chorda, "a string."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

clavichord

A Clavinet looks like an electric keyboard, but it is an electro-mechanical string instrument originally developed for the performance of classical harpsichord and clavichord music.

From Salon ● Nov. 12, 2022

She finds new textures in her voice, and its acrobatics are less flashy and more delicate, against an intricate world conjured up out of harps, music boxes and the clavichord.

From The Guardian ● Apr. 7, 2020

From the start, liquidity was a keyboard ideal, and an ocean of music evoking water has been written over the centuries for harpsichord, clavichord, fortepiano and modern grand.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 24, 2016

Ms. Toth discussed the differences in touch and sound production on the harpsichord and clavichord from those of the piano, and amateur performers who attended were able to play a bit themselves.

From New York Times ● Mar. 18, 2015

During the boredom of her abandonment her only distractions were the clavichord lessons at siesta time and the letters from her children.

From "One Hundred Years of Solitude" by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

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Related Words

• grand piano
• instrument
• keyboard

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