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.

---

musical glasses British  

plural noun

1. another term for glass harmonica

---

Etymology

Origin of musical glasses

First recorded in 1760–70

Example Sentences

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

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

From Time Magazine Archive

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

He ran a finger around the edge of his saucer after the manner of one performing on the musical glasses, and threw a hunted glance at the window, as though for a way of escape.

From Poison Island by Quiller-Couch, Arthur Thomas, Sir

No tones can equal in sweetness the musical glasses, and the trembling nerves of Gretchen's fingers gave a spirit of pathetic pleading to the old German forest hymn.

From The Log School-House on the Columbia by Butterworth, Hezekiah