Clavacin

/ˌklɑːvəˈsɪn/ noun

Definition

An alternative or archaic name for the harpsichord, a keyboard instrument with plucked strings.

Etymology

From clavichord roots mixed with Latin clava (club/key) + French -in. Emerged as various European keyboard instruments were named during the Renaissance.

Kelly Says

Before 'harpsichord' won the naming battle, musicians called the instrument by different names in different languages—'clavacin' survives mainly in historical musicology texts from the 1600s-1700s.

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