ocarina

[ ok-uh-ree-nuh ]

noun

1. a simple musical wind instrument shaped somewhat like an elongated egg with a mouthpiece and finger holes.

ocarina

/ ˌɒkəˈriːnə /

noun

1. an egg-shaped wind instrument with a protruding mouthpiece and six to eight finger holes, producing an almost pure tone Also called (US informal)sweet potato

Other Words From

• oca·rinist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ocarina¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from Italian, originally dialect (Emilia), diminutive of oca “goose” (from Late Latin auca, contraction of unattested avica, derivative of Latin avis “bird”), so called from the instrument's shape; apparently the name given to it by Giuseppe Donati (1836–1925) of Budrio, near Bologna, who popularized a ceramic version c1860

Word History and Origins

Origin of ocarina¹

C19: from Italian: little goose, from oca goose, ultimately from Latin avis bird

Example Sentences

The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time, considered by some to be the best game of all time, was remade for the 3DS in 2011.

From The Daily Beast

The neighbouring forest was soon echoing the strident notes of xylophone, banjo, ocarina and trombone.

From Project Gutenberg

Treatises upon the violin are fairly numerous; but I do not remember having come across many works on the Jew's harp or ocarina.

From Project Gutenberg

A solitary ocarina continued to whistle awhile; then all was still.

From Project Gutenberg

Im a-goin south from here to give a Chinese lady a lesson on the ocarina.

From Project Gutenberg

Ma'am, if you never do, at least remember that the flute was an ocarina.

From Project Gutenberg