From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Cymbal \Cym"bal\ (s?m"bal). n. [OE. cimbale, simbale, OF.
cimbale, F. cymbale, L. cymbalum, fr. Gr. ky`mbalon, fr.
ky`mbh, ky`mbos, anything hollow, hollow vessel, basin, akin
to Skr. kubha pot. Cf. {Chime}.]
1. A musical instrument used by the ancients. It is supposed
to have been similar to the modern kettle drum, though
perhaps smaller.
[1913 Webster]
2. A musical instrument of brass, shaped like a circular dish
or a flat plate, with a handle at the back; -- used in
pairs to produce a sharp ringing sound by clashing them
together.
[1913 Webster]
Note: In orchestras, one cymbal is commonly attached to the
bass drum, and the other heid in the drummer's left
hand, while his right hand uses the drumstick.
[1913 Webster]
3. A musical instrument used by gypsies and others, made of
steel wire, in a triangular form, on which are movable
rings.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
cymbal
n 1: a percussion instrument consisting of a concave brass disk;
makes a loud crashing sound when hit with a drumstick or
when two are struck together
|