rebec

or re·beck

[ ree-bek ]

noun

1. a Renaissance fiddle with a pear-shaped body tapering into a neck that ends in a sickle-shaped or scroll-shaped pegbox.

rebec

/ ˈriːbɛk /

noun

1. a medieval stringed instrument resembling the violin but having a lute-shaped body

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebec¹

1745–55; < Middle French; replacing Middle English ribibe < Old French rebebe ≪ Arabic rabāb rebab

Word History and Origins

Origin of rebec¹

C16: from Old French rebebe , from Arabic rebāb ; perhaps also influenced by Old French bec beak

Example Sentences

This rebab is an exact counterpart of the rebec formerly popular in Western Europe.

From Project Gutenberg

And it was so ready with refrains and lays and songs and new tunes, that harp, or viol, or rebec were as nought beside it.

From Project Gutenberg

It was Rizzio's skill upon the rebec that had first attracted Mary's attention.

From Project Gutenberg

Bonnivet, during his investment of Milan, had posted Bayard with a small corps in the village of Rebec.

From Project Gutenberg

The rebec was not known in Arabia until nearly two centuries after we find the crwth mentioned by Venance Fortunatus.

From Project Gutenberg