the lowest and largest instrument in the oboe class; contrabassoon
double bassoon in American English
contrabassoon
double bassoon in American English
noun
a bassoon an octave lower in pitch than the ordinary bassoon: the largest and deepest-toned instrument of the oboe class; contrabassoon
Word origin
[1875–80]This word is first recorded in the period 1875–80. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: cross-fertilization, fan-tan, graph, musical chairs, weekend