Jew's harp
or Jews' harp
(sometimes lowercase) a small, simple musical instrument consisting of a lyre-shaped metal frame containing a metal tongue, which is plucked while the frame is held in the teeth, the vibrations causing twanging tones.
Origin of Jew's harp
1Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use Jew's harp in a sentence
I don't think much of a feller that would cheat a man out of a jews-harp 'cause he liked to fool with it.
Sevenoaks | J. G. HollandOne of us pretended he was playing on a Jews-harp, sang songs riotously, and then began to talk long and earnestly of New York.
The Sea and the Jungle | H. M. TomlinsonHe had brought along a mouth harmonica, and Hans had a jews-harp.
The Rover Boys Down East | Arthur M. WinfieldHe drew a Jews-harp from under his blouse and began blowing into it.
Bouvard and Pcuchet, part 2 | Gustave FlaubertThere was a curious noise, like a jews-harp, in the chamber.
Urania | Camille Flammarion
British Dictionary definitions for jew's-harp
a musical instrument consisting of a small lyre-shaped metal frame held between the teeth, with a steel tongue plucked with the finger. Changes in pitch are produced by varying the size of the mouth cavities
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
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