‖ clavecin Mus.
(ˈklævɪsɪn)
[F. clavecin, ad. med.L. clavicymbalum or It. clavicembalo: see clavicymbal.]
The French name of the harpsichord: sometimes used by English writers.
| 1819 Pantologia, Clavecin (Fr.), in music, a harpsichord. 1881 A. J. Hipkins in Grove Dict. Mus. III. 194 About the year 1500 the clavecin had been made in the clavichord shape, and called Spinet. |
Hence ˈclavecinist [a. F. claveciniste], a player on the clavecin.
| 1865 Hullah Transit. Period Music 243 The sudden indisposition..of the Clavecinist, gave him [Handel] an opportunity. 1868 Browning Ring & Bk. I. i. 1209 As..Clavecinist..debarred his instrument Yet thrums..With desperate finger on dumb table edge. |