rebec

American  

[ree-bek] / ˈri bɛk /

Or rebeck

noun

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

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rebec British  

/ ˈriːbɛk /

noun

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

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Etymology

Origin of rebec

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

Example Sentences

The vocal parts suggest everything from Gregorian chant to folk song, the orchestra includes such authentic curiosities as a rebec, a vielle and a minstrel's harp.

From Time Magazine Archive

The action is accompanied by music suggestive of everything from Gregorian chant to folk song, played on reproductions of such authentic medieval instruments as a psaltery, a rebec, a minstrel's harp.

From Time Magazine Archive

At this instant the united sound of the lofty harp, the melodious rebec, and the chearful pipe, summoned them once again to the plain.

From Imogen A Pastoral Romance by Godwin, William

And on that day, to the rebec gay   They frolicked with lovesome swains; They are gone, they are dead, in the churchyard laid,   But the tree—it still remains.

From McGuffey's Sixth Eclectic Reader by McGuffey, William Holmes

Next came the minstrels, playing merrily on tabor, fife, sacbut, rebec, and tambourine.

From The Star-Chamber, Volume 1 An Historical Romance by Ainsworth, William Harrison