A keyboard instrument similar to a harpsichord, popular in France and used primarily from the 16th to 18th centuries.
From French 'clavecin,' derived from Old French 'clavecinc,' ultimately from Latin 'clavis' (key). The term was the French word for what the Italians called a 'clavicembalo.'
The clavecin was the instrument of choice for French royalty and nobility—Bach and Scarlatti both wrote music for it, and its bright, plucked string sound defined the sound of French Baroque music.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.