tintinnabulum

[ tin-ti-nab-yuh-luhm ]

noun

, plural tin·tin·nab·u·la [tin-ti-, nab, -y, uh, -l, uh].

1. a small, tinkling bell or a set of bells played in succession.

tintinnabulum

/ ˌtɪntɪˈnæbjʊləm /

noun

1. a small high-pitched bell

Word History and Origins

Origin of tintinnabulum¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; from Latin tintinnābulum “a bell,” derivative of tintinnāre “to ring, jangle,” reduplicated form of tintinnīre “to ring, jingle,” of imitative origin + -bulum noun suffix denoting instrument or vessel

Word History and Origins

Origin of tintinnabulum¹

C16: from Latin, from tintinnāre to tinkle, from tinnīre to ring; see tinnitus

Example Sentences

More fluent but not less gloomy are the sacred lyrics of Ny�ki-Veres first published in 1636 under the Latin title of Tintinnabulum Tripudiantium.

From Project Gutenberg

We should hardly reckon its author among our boasted treasures; yet Burns says "his elegies do honor to our language," and a great deal of the same guileless tintinnabulum did have its admirers all over England a century ago; and some of Shenstone's pretty wares have come drifting down on the wings of albums and anthologies fairly into our day.

From Project Gutenberg

These small bells were known at Rome from the earliest times, and called from their sounds tintinnabulum.

From Project Gutenberg

Hatton, writing in 1708, says that these figures were more admired on Sundays by the populace than the most eloquent preacher in the pulpit within; and Cowper, in his "Table Talk," cleverly compares dull poets to the St. Dunstan's giants:— "When labour and when dulness, club in hand, Like the two figures at St. Dunstan stand, Beating alternately, in measured time, The clock-work tintinnabulum of rhyme."

From Project Gutenberg

Pistillo, Tintinnabulum, 2. intus Globulo ferreo, Crepitaculum, 3. circumversando; Crembalum, 4. ori admotum, Digito; Tympanum, 5.

From Project Gutenberg