noun
harpsichord
HAHP-sih-kawd
Harpsichord (noun) means a keyboard instrument, popular before the piano, in which each key plucks a string rather than striking it with a hammer. Example: “The Baroque concert featured a harpsichord instead of a piano.”
noun
1
A keyboard instrument, popular before the piano, in which each key plucks a string rather than striking it with a hammer.
"The Baroque concert featured a harpsichord instead of a piano."
"Bach wrote many of his keyboard works for the harpsichord."
How to use harpsichord
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn early keyboard instrument that plucks its strings, giving it a brighter, thinner sound than a piano.
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Word forms
- Plural
- harpsichords
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The Baroque concert featured a _____ instead of a piano.
Etymology
From French harpechord, "harp string," via New Latin harpichordium, combining harpa ("harp") and chorda ("string").
Synonyms
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cembalo
Rhymes for harpsichord
See all rhymes for harpsichord →Frequently asked questions
What does “harpsichord” mean?
The word “harpsichord” means a keyboard instrument, popular before the piano, in which each key plucks a string rather than striking it with a hammer. In plain terms, an early keyboard instrument that plucks its strings, giving it a brighter, thinner sound than a piano.
How do you pronounce “harpsichord”?
“Harpsichord” is pronounced HAHP-sih-kawd (/ˈhɑɹp.sɪˌkɔɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “harpsichord” in a sentence?
Here is “harpsichord” used in a sentence: “The Baroque concert featured a harpsichord instead of a piano.”
What part of speech is “harpsichord”?
“Harpsichord” is a noun.
Where does the word “harpsichord” come from?
The word “harpsichord” comes from New Latin. From French harpechord, "harp string," via New Latin harpichordium, combining harpa ("harp") and chorda ("string").
