klezmer

[klez-mer]

noun, plural klez·mo·rim [klez-muh-reem] /ˌklɛz məˈrim/.

a Jewish folk musician traditionally performing in a small band.

Also klezmer music. the type of music performed by such musicians.

Origin of klezmer

From Yiddish

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for klezmer

klezmer

noun

a Jewish folk musician, usually a member of a small band

Also called: klezmer music the music performed by such a band

Word Origin for klezmer

Yiddish

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 klezmer

late 19c. (plural klezmorim); originally, "an itinerant East European Jewish professional musician," from Hebrew kley zemer, literally "vessels of song," thus "musical instruments."