clavichord Hear it!

clavichord definition

clavi·chord (klav′i kôrd′)

noun

a stringed musical instrument with a keyboard, predecessor of the piano: horizontal strings, generally of equal length, are struck at various points from below by metal wedges (tangents) at the end of each key, producing soft tones with limited dynamics

Etymology: ME clavicord < ML clavicordium < L clavis, a key (see close) + chorda, chord

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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