musical glasses

American  

plural noun

1. a set of drinking glasses filled with varying amounts of water to produce ringing tones of different pitches when the player's finger is rubbed around the wet rims.

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musical glasses British  

plural noun

1. another term for glass harmonica

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Etymology

Origin of musical glasses

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

Tribute to Foster''* which called for the use of musical glasses and bowls.

From Time Magazine Archive

Hopeful sufferers sat around the tubs clutching at protruding iron rods while harmoniums, pianos and musical glasses tinkled and Mesmer and assistants in purple silk coats hovered about.

From Time Magazine Archive

Without prejudice, as my lawyer says, let me turn up this afternoon and chat pleasantly to her of Shakespeare, also the musical glasses.

From The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith by Pinero, Arthur Wing, Sir

They would talk of nothing but high life, and high-lived company, with other fashionable topics, such as pictures, taste, Shakespeare, and the musical glasses.

From Familiar Quotations A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature by Bartlett, John

One day, when Migraine was worse, they had recourse to the musical glasses.

From Bouvard and Pécuchet A Tragi-comic Novel of Bourgeois Life by Flaubert, Gustave