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harmonium

[hahr-moh-nee-uh m]
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noun
  1. an organlike keyboard instrument with small metal reeds and a pair of bellows operated by the player's feet.
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Origin of harmonium

1840–50; Latinization of Greek harmónion, neuter of harmónios harmonious
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for harmonium

Historical Examples

  • He sang an Offertory solo, accompanying himself on the harmonium.

    My New Curate

    P.A. Sheehan

  • Miss Campion presided at the harmonium that evening in place of Father Letheby.

    My New Curate

    P.A. Sheehan

  • One of their chief instruments is the 'Marimba' or 'Tyanbilo,' a form of harmonium.

  • Yes, a harmonium would be just the thing; perhaps one could be spared me.

  • Indeed, there were some among them who deliberately said they preferred a harmonium to an organ!

    The Coxswain's Bride

    R.M. Ballantyne

British Dictionary definitions for harmonium

harmonium

noun
  1. a musical keyboard instrument of the reed organ family, in which air from pedal-operated bellows causes the reeds to vibrate
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Word Origin

C19: from French, from harmonie harmony
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

Word Origin and History for harmonium

n.

keyboard instrument, 1847, from French harmonium, from Greek harmonia (see harmony). Invented c.1840.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper