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ophicleide

[of-i-klahyd]

noun

  1. a musical wind instrument, a development of the old wooden serpent, consisting of a conical metal tube bent double.



ophicleide

/ ˈɒfɪˌklaɪd /

noun

  1. music an obsolete keyed wind instrument of bass pitch

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ophicleidean adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ophicleide1

1825–35; < French ophicléide < Greek óphi ( s ) serpent + kleid- (stem of kleís ) key (akin to Latin clavis; clavicle )
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Word History and Origins

Origin of ophicleide1

C19: from French ophiclēide, from Greek ophis snake + kleis key
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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.

The historically informed performance movement has reintroduced instruments like the serpent and ophicleide: brass instruments that add wonky color rather than sheer decibels to fortissimo outbursts.

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Some have since gone extinct, like the serpent and the ophicleide, precursors of the tuba that look like plumbing designed by Dalí.

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You can’t play a Serpent or an Ophicleide.

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Sylvia was nearly elbowed out of her seat by an aggressive ophicleide, but an old gentleman opposite with a saxhorn behind him and a euphonium on his knees told her by way of encouragement that the soldiers didn’t pass through Indiana every day.

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The name bombardon is now given to a brass instrument, the lowest of a saxhorns, in tone resembling the ophicleide.

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Opheltesophidian