clavicembalo

[ klav-i-chem-buh-loh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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

clavicembalo

/ ˌklævɪˈtʃɛmbələʊ /

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

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

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

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

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

This instrument was probably an upright harpsichord or clavicembalo.

Browse