Harpsichord

//ˈhɑɹp.sɪˌkɔɹd// noun

noun ·Moderate ·College level

Definitions

Noun
  1. 1
    A stringed musical instrument with a keyboard, the mechanical precusor to the fortepiano, in which each key causes a plectrum to pluck a corresponding tuned string, producing a bright, sharp tone similar to that of a harp.
  2. 2
    a clavier with strings that are plucked by plectra mounted on pivots wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms
baby grandcembalocembaloclarichordclavicembaloclavichord

Example

More examples

"The best ear training is tuning a piano or harpsichord."

Etymology

Early 1600s, borrowed from French harpechord (“harp string”), from New Latin harpichordium, from harpa (“harp”) + chorda (“string”). Influenced by and possibly also borrowed from Italian arpicordo, producing variant spellings. The unetymological -s-, which predominates by the 1660s, is of unclear origin.

Related phrases

lute harpsichordpedal harpsichordchamber musiclong versionmozart eramusic keyboardmusical instrumentold pianoorgan like

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Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.