clavicembalo

[ klav-i-chem-buh-loh ]

noun

, plural clav·i·cem·ba·li [klav-i-, chem, -b, uh, -lee].

1. a harpsichord.

clavicembalo

/ ˌklævɪˈtʃɛmbələʊ /

noun

1. another name for harpsichord

Other Words From

• clavi·cembal·ist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of clavicembalo¹

1730–40; < Italian < Medieval Latin clāvicymbalum, equivalent to Latin clāvi ( s ) key + cymbalum cymbal

Word History and Origins

Origin of clavicembalo¹

C18: from Italian, from Medieval Latin clāvis key + cymbalum cymbal

Example Sentences

This was the origin of the harpsichord, the name by which the clavicembalo soon became more generally known.

From Project Gutenberg

The orchestra consisted of one lira doppia, one clavicembalo, one chitarrone and two flutes.

From Project Gutenberg

Meanwhile the pianoforte of the day, the clavicembalo, as the Italians called it, had been considerably improved.

From Project Gutenberg

This instrument was probably an upright harpsichord or clavicembalo.

From Project Gutenberg