jew's-harp Hear it!

jew's-harp definition

jew's·-harp or jews'-harp jews'′·-harp′ (jo̵̅o̅z′härp′)

noun

a small musical instrument consisting of a lyre-shaped metal frame held between the teeth and played by plucking a projecting bent piece with the finger: it produces twanging tones

Etymology: earlier Jew's trump, altered (by assoc. with Jew) < Du jeugdtromp, child's trumpet < jeugd, youth (confused in Eng with ME Judeu, Jew) + tromp, trumpet < OFr trompe: see trump

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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