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

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

Gretchen's eye fell upon the musical glasses, which were among the few things that she had brought from the East and which had belonged to her old German home.

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

And, if they do them, then, judging by what I saw at the "Pav," I am fain to ask again, why, in the name of Shakspeare, and the musical glasses, should the theatres object?

From Punch, or the London Charivari, Volume 103, December 3, 1892 by Burnand, F. C. (Francis Cowley), Sir

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