spinet

[ spin-it ]

noun

1. a small upright piano.
2. a small, square piano.
3. any of various small harpsichords.
4. Also called spinet organ. a small electric organ.

spinet

/ ˈspɪnɪt; spɪˈnɛt /

noun

1. a small type of harpsichord having one manual

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinet¹

1655–65; aphetic variant of obsolete espinette < French < Italian spinetta, probably equivalent to spin ( a ) thorn ( spine ) + -etta diminutive suffix; the existence of an instrument-maker named Spinetti is unverified

Word History and Origins

Origin of spinet¹

C17: from Italian spinetta, perhaps from Giovanni Spinetti, 16th-century Italian maker of musical instruments and its supposed inventor

Example Sentences

A sweet-toned old spinet in good repair stood by the window.

From The Daily Beast

I went into the smoking-room and sat down before the spinet.

From The Daily Beast

I called it a spinet, because it somewhat resembled that instrument, and was played upon in the same manner.

From Project Gutenberg

Before the spinet a bench was placed about four feet below the keys, and I was put upon the bench.

From Project Gutenberg

He coloured furiously, and looked sternly at the page of music lying before him on the spinet.

From Project Gutenberg

She sat down at the spinet and played a little madrigal by Orlando Gibbons that was associated with her earliest childhood.

From Project Gutenberg

In Fig. 89 is seen a beautiful spinet in excellent condition.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• grand piano
• instrument
• keyboard