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jew's-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

Origin: 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

See jew's-harp in American Heritage Dictionary 4

or jew's harp

noun

A small musical instrument consisting of a lyre-shaped metal frame that is held between the teeth and a projecting steel tongue that is plucked to produce a soft twanging sound.

Origin:

Origin: Origin unknown

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