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kettledrum
[ ket-l-druhm ]
/ ˈkɛt lˌdrʌm /
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noun
a drum consisting of a hollow hemisphere of brass, copper, or fiberglass over which is stretched a skin, the tension of which can be modified by hand screws or foot pedals to vary the pitch.
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Compare timpani.
OTHER WORDS FROM kettledrum
ket·tle·drum·mer, nounWords nearby kettledrum
Kettering, kettle, kettle base, kettlebell, kettle-bottom, kettledrum, kettle hat, kettle hole, kettle of fish, kettle stitch, ketubah
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
How to use kettledrum in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for kettledrum
kettledrum
/ (ˈkɛtəlˌdrʌm) /
noun
a percussion instrument of definite pitch, consisting of a hollow bowl-like hemisphere covered with a skin or membrane, supported on a tripod or stand. The pitch may be adjusted by means of screws or pedals, which alter the tension of the skin
Derived forms of kettledrum
kettledrummer, nounCollins 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 kettledrum
kettledrum
A drum consisting of a skin stretched over a large shell in the shape of a half-sphere. The pitch of the kettledrum can be changed by manipulating screws at the edge of the skin or pedals at the bottom of the drum. Kettledrums are usually used in classical music in sets of two or more and are known by their Italian name, timpani.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.