clef

American  

[klef] / klɛf /

noun

Music.

1. a symbol placed upon a staff to indicate the name and pitch of the notes corresponding to its lines and spaces.

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clef British  

/ klɛf /

noun

1. one of several symbols placed on the left-hand side beginning of each stave indicating the pitch of the music written after it See also alto clef bass clef C clef soprano clef tenor clef treble clef

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Etymology

Origin of clef

1570–80; < Middle French < Latin clāvis key

Example Sentences

It is not signed by Chopin, but the handwriting includes his distinctive bass clef.

From BBC • Oct. 29, 2024

The story quoted a few skeptics—among them the writer Harry Monaghan, who’d written a well-received roman à clef five years prior, and who had a regular column in the Post.

From Slate • May 27, 2023

Her third book, “American Wife,” was a darkly shaded roman à clef about a woman very much like First Lady Laura Bush.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 31, 2023

While the story shares a few tantalizing similarities with the author’s life, it’s no roman à clef.

From Washington Post • Sep. 20, 2022

Much more common is the use of a treble clef that is meant to be read one octave below the written pitch.

From "Understanding Basic Music Theory" by Catherine Schmidt-Jones and Russel Jones

Related Words

• conceive
• design
• devise
• form
• invent
• orchestrate
• pen
• produce
• set up
• write