sistrum
noun
sis·trum
ˈsistrəm
plural sistrums
-rəmz
or sistra -rə
1
: an ancient Egyptian and Roman percussion instrument sacred to the goddesses Hathor and Isis consisting usually of a handle attached to a small metal strip bent into an oblong loop with holes for three or four loose metal rods that jingle when shaken
2
: any of various musical instruments played like a rattle
Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin, from Greek seistron, from seiein to shake
First Known Use
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1