ocarina

American  

[ok-uh-ree-nuh] / ˌɒk əˈri nə /

noun

1. a simple musical wind instrument shaped somewhat like an elongated egg with a mouthpiece and finger holes.

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ocarina British  

/ ˌɒkəˈriːnə /

noun

1. Also called (US informal): sweet potato.  an egg-shaped wind instrument with a protruding mouthpiece and six to eight finger holes, producing an almost pure tone

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Other Word Forms

• ocarinist noun

Etymology

Origin of ocarina

First recorded in 1875–80; from Italian, originally dialect (Emilia), diminutive of oca “goose” (from Late Latin auca, contraction of unattested avica, derivative of Latin avis “bird”), so called from the instrument's shape; apparently the name given to it by Giuseppe Donati (1836–1925) of Budrio, near Bologna, who popularized a ceramic version c1860

Example Sentences

The guitar and ocarina join the orchestra — the Pacific Symphony, conducted by David LaMarche, replacing de la Parra, who couldn’t travel because of an ear infection.

From Los Angeles Times

What was Morricone thinking, you may wonder, when he introduced the whistle of an ocarina, or joined it to the portentous chants of a choir?

From Los Angeles Times

Once the stumps are ready, have one person play an instrument, like the ocarina, while the other players walk around the stumps.

From The Verge

I heard the ocarina as the voice of Juana standing out from the crowd.

From Los Angeles Times

There’s even an event called “Vegetable Orchestra” that is scheduled for Sunday morning and promises pumpkin drums and potato ocarinas.

From Washington Times