† clavicymbal Mus. Obs. exc. Hist.
(klævɪˈsɪmbəl)
Forms: 5 claui-, 6 clawesymballe, 7 clavecymbal, 9 clavicimbal, -cymbal, and in It. form clavicembalo.
[ad. med.L. clāvicymbalum, -cymbolum (in Rules of the Minnesingers by Eberhard Cersne, 1404), f. clāvis key + cymbalum cymbal. In It. clavicembalo, gravicembalo (both in Florio), F. clavecin (Cotgr. clavessin, OF. clavechinbolon), Ger. clavizimbel, perverted klaffenzimmer. See also claricymbal, clavecin.]
An old name of the Harpsichord, a musical instrument with keys, and strings set in vibration by means of quills or leathern plectra in wooden uprights called jacks.
| 1492 Will of Clyff (Somerset Ho.), My Clauysymballes. 1506 Will. of Tho. Buttler (Somerset Ho.), A payre of Clawesymballes. 1656 Blount Glossogr., Clavecymbal, a pair of Virginals, or Claricords. 1864 Engel Mus. Anc. Nat. 42 The German clavicimbel..was a kind of spinet. 1880 A. J. Hipkins in Grove Dict. Mus. I. 367 Mattheson lauded the clavichord above the clavicymbel or harpsichord. 1880 Ibid. s.v. Cembalo, The dulcimer, or cembalo, with keys added, became the clavicembalo. |