glass harmonica

noun

a musical instrument composed of a set of graduated, revolving glass bowls, the rims of which are moistened and set in vibration by friction from the fingertips.

Origin of glass harmonica

First recorded in 1905–10

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Examples from the Web for glass harmonica

Historical Examples of glass harmonica

The glass-harmonica is evidently hurtful to the health of the performer.
Musical Myths and Facts, Volume II (of 2)
Carl Engel

British Dictionary definitions for glass harmonica

glass harmonica

noun

a musical instrument of the 18th century consisting of a set of glass bowls of graduated pitches, played by rubbing the fingers over the moistened rims or by a keyboard mechanismSometimes shortened to: harmonica Also called: musical glasses

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