English Explanatory Dictionary

banjo

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A stringed musical instrument (chordophone), usually with a round body, a membrane-like soundboard and a fretted neck, played by plucking or strumming the strings.
  2. Any of various similar musical instruments, such as the Tuvan doshpuluur, with a membrane-like soundboard.
  3. An object shaped like a banjo, especially a frying pan or a shovel.
  4. A cul-de-sac with a round end.
  5. A miner's round-nosed shovel.
  6. An egg sandwich fried on a flattop and served in a bun as would a burger, ellipsis of egg banjo.
  7. The frenulum of the penis.
verb
  1. To play a banjo.
  2. To beat, to knock down.
  3. To shell or attack (a target).

Pronunciation

băn'jō /ˈbæn.dʒəʊ/ /ˈbæn.d͡ʒoʊ/ en-us-banjo.ogg

Word forms

banjo banjos banjoes banjoing banjoed

Etymology

From the pronunciation of African slaves, of unknown ultimate origin. Possibly a corruption of bandore (from Spanish bandurria), alternatively from a West African language such as Mandinka banjul, or Kimbundu mbanza.

Derived words

banjitar banjo bolt banjo catfish banjo clock banjo dulcimer banjo enclosure Banjo Eyes banjo-eyes banjo-eyed banjo fitting banjo frog banjo hit banjo hitter banjoist banjolike banjo-mandolin banjo mandolin banjolin mandolin-banjo banjo string banjouke banjo ukelele banjo ukulele banjolele banjo uke banjo union dulcijo eastern banjo frog egg banjo four-string banjo giant banjo frog guitjo Irish banjo not hit a cow's arse with a banjo play the cat and banjo with southern banjo frog tenor banjo
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