clef

[ klef ]

noun

, Music.

1. a symbol placed upon a staff to indicate the name and pitch of the notes corresponding to its lines and spaces.

clef

/ klɛf /

noun

1. one of several symbols placed on the left-hand side beginning of each stave indicating the pitch of the music written after it See also alto clef bass clef C clef soprano clef tenor clef treble clef

Word History and Origins

Origin of clef¹

1570–80; < Middle French < Latin clāvis key

Word History and Origins

Origin of clef¹

C16: from French: key, clef, from Latin clāvis; related to Latin claudere to close

Example Sentences

It is not signed by Chopin, but the handwriting includes his distinctive bass clef.

From BBC

There is no more quotable novel about Hollywood than Carrie Fisher’s roman à clef, “Postcards From the Edge.”

From Los Angeles Times

The seamless overlap between real life and fictional counterparts, and the faithful reproduction of such well-established facts, conveys the author’s intention to offer a crystal clear clé to this roman à clef.

From New York Times

Also please read his “Jarnegan,” a roman à clef about a thug and criminal who comes to Hollywood, and becomes a great director.

From New York Times

That seems far-fetched, but to Oxfordians even “Hamlet” is a pièce à clef, all the major characters being fictionalized versions of people in the earl’s life.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• conceive
• design
• devise
• form
• invent
• orchestrate
• pen
• produce
• set up
• write