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

Other Word Forms

• ophicleidean adjective

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 )

Word History and Origins

Origin of ophicleide¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

From New York Times

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

From New York Times

You can’t play a Serpent or an Ophicleide.

From New York Times

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.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg