bourdon

[ boor-dn, bawr-, bohr- ]

noun

, Music.

1. 1. the drone pipe of a bagpipe.
   2. the drone string of a stringed instrument.
2. a low-pitched tone; bass.
3. a pipe organ stop of very low pitch.
4. the bell in a carillon having the lowest pitch.

bourdon

/ ˈbʊədən; ˈbɔːdən /

noun

1. a 16-foot organ stop of the stopped diapason type
2. the drone of a bagpipe
3. a drone or pedal point in the bass of a harmonized melody

Word History and Origins

Origin of bourdon¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Middle French; burden ²

Word History and Origins

Origin of bourdon¹

C14: from Old French: drone (of a musical instrument), of imitative origin

Example Sentences

For instance, who has not longed at times that the Swell Bourdon could be played by the pedals?

From Project Gutenberg

Monsieur Bourdon has therefore chosen the bolder course, which happens also to be the wiser course.

From Project Gutenberg

Monsieur Bourdon has proved once more the tremendous power of German militarism.

From Project Gutenberg

Louis Bourdon little knew how much he had escaped, in thus becoming a dweller in the Floridian Eden.

From Project Gutenberg

The search after Louis Bourdon was abandoned, and the soldiers were again ordered on board.

From Project Gutenberg