C18: from Italian, from Medieval Latin clāvis key + cymbalumcymbal
harpsichord in British English
(ˈhɑːpsɪˌkɔːd)
noun
a horizontally strung stringed keyboard instrument, triangular in shape, consisting usually of two manuals controlling various sets of strings plucked by pivoted plectrums mounted on jacks. Some harpsichords have a pedal keyboard and stops by which the tone colour may be varied
Derived forms
harpsichordist (ˈharpsiˌchordist)
noun
Word origin
C17: from New Latin harpichordium, from Late Latin harpaharp + Latin chordachord1
clavicembalo in American English
(ˌklævɪˈtʃembəˌlou)
nounWord forms: plural-li (-ˌli)
a harpsichord
Derived forms
clavicembalist
noun
Word origin
[1730–40; ‹ It ‹ ML clāvicymbalum, equiv. to L clāvi(s) key + cymbalumcymbal]This word is first recorded in the period 1730–40. Other words that entered Englishat around the same time include: canteen, chenille, malaria, optimism, thesaurus