harpsichord
harpsichord Lexical Profile
harpsichord Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A keyboard instrument, widely used during the Renaissance and Baroque periods, that produces sound by plucking strings with small plectra made of quill, leather, or plastic.
"The bright, metallic timbre of the harpsichord is a defining characteristic of Johann Sebastian Bach's concertos."
Word Nuance & Usage
Unlike the modern piano, which strikes its strings with hammers to allow for varied dynamics, the harpsichord plucks its strings, producing a uniform volume regardless of how forcefully the keys are pressed.
Word Origin & Etymology
Early 17th century: from French 'harpechorde' or Modern Latin 'harpicordum', combining Late Latin 'harpa' (harp) and Latin 'chorda' (string). The 's' was likely inserted by English speakers through association with the word 'harpsichord' itself.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.