nyckelharpa

American

[nik-uhl-hahr-puh] / ˈnɪk əlˌhɑr pə /

noun

an old-time Swedish stringed musical instrument, similar to the hurdy-gurdy but sounded with a bow instead of a wheel.

Etymology

Origin of nyckelharpa

< Swedish, equivalent to nyckel fret + harpa harp

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

nyckelharpa

The basic snoa will be taught, and there will be music by Sprida Ut, Kris Johansson and Nola and Brian Nelson featuring a combination of nyckelharpa, guitar and voice.

From Seattle Times ● May 5, 2022

But that suited the music Hart was composing for a quartet of recorders, nyckelharpa — a medieval Swedish instrument — and a female choir singing alternately in Latin or made-up words.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 1, 2021

I spotted the founder, David Wilson, in the Russian-style tea room, playing an ancient lute called the nyckelharpa.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 18, 2018

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

Get a word

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023