crotchet
- an odd fancy or whimsical notion.
- a small hook.
- a hooklike device or part.
- Entomology. a small, hooklike process.
- Music. Chiefly British. a quarter note.
- a curved surgical instrument with a sharp hook.
Origin of crotchet
Synonyms for crotchet
See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.comRelated Words for crotchet
peculiarity, whim, freak, vagary, trait, fancy, caprice, eccentricity, notionExamples from the Web for crotchet
Historical Examples of crotchet
When the ladies had withdrawn, young Crotchet addressed the company.
Crotchet CastleThomas Love Peacock
From this eventful night, young Crotchet was seen no more on English mould.
Crotchet CastleThomas Love Peacock
Mr. Crotchet told the Reverend Doctor Folliott the news of the morning.
Crotchet CastleThomas Love Peacock
Humor my crotchet just now, and perhaps I may humor yours a month or two hence.
Put Yourself in His PlaceCharles Reade
Here you have just that kind of crotchet that I am going to deal with.
Mike MarbleUncle Frank
crotchet
- music a note having the time value of a quarter of a semibreveUsual US and Canadian name: quarter note
- a small hook or hooklike device
- a perverse notion
- zoology a small notched or hooked process, as in an insect
Word Origin for crotchet
Word Origin and History for crotchet
late 14c., "crocket," later "small hook" (early 15c.), from Old French crochet (pronounced "crotchet") "hook" (see crochet). As a surgical instrument, from 1750. Figurative use in musical notation is from mid-15c., from the shape of the notes. Meaning "whimsical fancy" is from 1570s; perhaps from the same mechanical image in crank; but other authorities link this sense to the musical notation one.