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hurdy-gurdy
(hʉr′dē gʉr′dē)
noun pl. hurdy-gurdies
- an early instrument shaped like a lute or viol but played by turning a crank attached to a rosined wheel that causes the strings to vibrate
- popularly a barrel organ
Origin: prob. echoic
See hurdy-gurdy in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. hur·dy-gur·dies
- A medieval stringed instrument played by turning a rosined wheel with a crank and depressing keys connected to tangents on the strings.
- Any instrument, such as a barrel organ, played by turning a crank.
Origin:
Origin: Imitative
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