glass harmonica

glass harmonica
Harmonica Har*mon"i*ca (-[i^]*k[.a]), n. [Fem. fr. L. harmonicus harmonic. See {Harmonic}, n. ] 1. A musical instrument, consisting of a series of hemispherical glasses which, by touching the edges with the dampened finger, give forth the tones; it is now called the {glass harmonica}, to distinguish it from the common harmonica, formerly called the harmonicon. [1913 Webster]

2. A toy instrument of strips of glass or metal hung on two tapes, and struck with hammers. [1913 Webster]

3. A small wind musical instrument shaped like a flat bar with holes along the thin edges, held in the hand and producing notes from multiple vibrating reeds arranged inside along its length; it was formerly called the {harmonicon}. See {harmonicon}. [PJC]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • glass harmonica — n. a musical instrument consisting of a conveniently arranged series of graduated glasses from which tones are produced by rubbing the edges with a wet finger …   English World dictionary

  • Glass harmonica — The glass harmonica, also known as the glass armonica, hydrocrystalophone, or simply armonica (derived from armonia , the Italian word for harmony), is a type of musical instrument that uses a series of glass bowls or goblets graduated in size to …   Wikipedia

  • glass harmonica — glass′ harmon′ica n. mad a musical instrument composed of a set of graduated, revolving glass bowls, the rims of which are moistened and set in vibration by friction from the fingertips • Etymology: 1905–10 …   From formal English to slang

  • glass harmonica — a musical instrument composed of a set of graduated, revolving glass bowls, the rims of which are moistened and set in vibration by friction from the fingertips. [1905 10] * * * ▪ musical instrument       musical instrument consisting of a set of …   Universalium

  • Glass-harmonica — Glassharmonica Glassharmonica de Benjamin Franklin Le glassharmonica (harmonica de verre ou, plus exactement Armonica de verre en français, en raison de l origine italienne du mot, ainsi que l a dénommé son inventeur dans la première lettre qui… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • glass harmonica — noun Date: circa 1909 a musical instrument consisting of a series of rotating glass bowls of differing sizes played by touching the dampened edges with a finger …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • glass harmonica — noun A musical instrument composed of a series of spinning glass bowls, played with the fingers, invented by Benjamin Franklin. See armonica. Syn: musical glasses …   Wiktionary

  • glass harmonica — noun a musical instrument consisting of a row of glass bowls, played by rubbing the rims with a finger or by keys …   English new terms dictionary

  • glass harmonica — /ˌglas haˈmɒnɪkə/ (say .glahs hah monikuh) noun an instrument consisting of a series of glass bowls graduated in size which can be played by the friction of the moistened finger; invented by Benjamin Franklin …  

  • glass harmonica — noun : a musical instrument of the 18th and 19th centuries consisting of a series of hemispherical glasses turning on an axis and played by touching the edges with a dampened finger …   Useful english dictionary

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