Cymbalon

/ˈsɪmbəlɑn/ noun

Definition

An alternative spelling of cymbalom, referring to the same stringed percussion instrument used in Central and Eastern European music.

Etymology

A variant spelling of 'cymbalom', reflecting different transliteration conventions from Hungarian and other Central European languages into English. Both spellings have been used since the 19th century.

Kelly Says

Word spellings like this show how English borrowed instruments from other cultures—there wasn't one 'correct' way to write it at first, so different spellings competed until standard usage eventually won.

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