harpsichord

[ hahrp-si-kawrd ]

/ ˈhɑrp sɪˌkɔrd /

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noun

a keyboard instrument, precursor of the piano, in which the strings are plucked by leather or quill points connected with the keys, in common use from the 16th to the 18th century, and revived in the 20th.

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Origin of harpsichord

First recorded in 1605–15, harpsichord is from the New Latin word harpichordium (with intrusive -s- of obscure origin). See harp, -i-, chord¹

OTHER WORDS FROM harpsichord

harp·si·chord·ist, noun

Words nearby harpsichord

harpist, harp on, harpoon, harpoon gun, harp seal, harpsichord, Harpy, harpy eagle, harquebus, harquebusier, Harrer

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use harpsichord in a sentence

Sitting up there at that little spindly-legged organ, he looked enormous, bigger than life, like a gorilla at a harpsichord.
The Stacks: Grateful Dead I Have Known|Ed McClanahan|August 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Near by was the harpsichord on which she was about to try it, when it seemed to her that a screen beside her trembled.
The False Chevalier|William Douw Lighthall
These were imported into England, and to John Haward is due the credit for the idea of pedals for the harpsichord.
The Old Furniture Book|N. Hudson Moore
Madam de Broglie complimented me upon my work, and going to her harpsichord proved to me she had already given it some attention.
The Confessions of J. J. Rousseau, Complete|Jean Jacques Rousseau

I was transported with joy when I learned from him he could play an accompaniment on the harpsichord.
The Confessions of J. J. Rousseau, Complete|Jean Jacques Rousseau
She possessed several agreeable talents, played the harpsichord, danced well, and wrote pleasing poetry.
The Confessions of J. J. Rousseau, Complete|Jean Jacques Rousseau

British Dictionary definitions for harpsichord

harpsichord

/ (ˈhɑːpsɪˌkɔːd) /

noun

a horizontally strung stringed keyboard instrument, triangular in shape, consisting usually of two manuals controlling various sets of strings plucked by pivoted plectrums mounted on jacks. Some harpsichords have a pedal keyboard and stops by which the tone colour may be varied

Derived forms of harpsichord

harpsichordist, noun

Word Origin for harpsichord

C17: from New Latin harpichordium, from Late Latin harpa harp + Latin chorda chord 1

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

Cultural definitions for harpsichord

harpsichord

A stringed keyboard instrument much used in the baroque era in music. The keys of a harpsichord move small devices that pluck the strings; the strings are not struck with hammers, as in a piano. Thus, although harpsichords often look much like pianos, their characteristic tinkly sound is unlike that of the piano, and a harpsichordist cannot change the volume of the sound by striking the keys harder, as a pianist can.