melopianon.
/ˌmɛləʊpɪˈanəʊ/, U.S. /ˌmɛloʊpiˈænoʊ/ Music. Now historical.
A device fitted to a piano to allow the production of sustained notes; a piano fitted with such a device.
ΚΠ
1876 J. Stainer & W. A. Barrett Dict. Musical Terms 292/1 Melopiano, an invention by which sustained sounds can be produced on a pianoforte.
1880 A. J. Hipkins in G. Grove Dict. Music II. 252 Melopiano, a grand piano with a sostinente attachment.
1984 New Grove Dict. Musical Instruments III. 421/1 The firm of Caldara & Bossi..started the manufacture of the melopiano in 1873. This had a device that could be attached to any piano to make possible the swelling of notes by quick repeated strokes of a small hammer.
1986 D. M. Randel New Harvard Dict. Music 485/1 Melopiano... The device, which could be installed in a conventional piano, contained metal springs that caused small hammers to bounce repeatedly against the strings, producing a tremolo effect.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1876