English Explanatory Dictionary

clarinet

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun
  1. A woodwind musical instrument that has a distinctive liquid tone whose characteristics vary among its three registers: chalumeau (low), clarion (medium), and altissimo (high).

Pronunciation

/ˌklæɹɪˈnɛt/ /ˌklɛɹɪˈnɛt/ en-us-clarinet.ogg

Word forms

clarinet clarinets

Etymology

Borrowed from Italian clarinetto, diminutive of clarino (“trumpet”) (as the first clarinets had a strident tone similar to that of a trumpet), from Latin clarus. Alternatively, the word may come from French clarinette, diminutive form of clarine (“bell”), from clarin, from clair (“clear”), from Latin clarus.

Synonyms

agony-pipe

Related words

chalumeau

Derived words

alto clarinet bass clarinet basset clarinet clarinetist clarinettist clavinet contrabass clarinet soprano clarinet
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