Trombone

/trɑːmˈboʊn/ noun

Definition

A brass musical instrument with a long slide that you move in and out to change the pitch of the notes.

Etymology

From Italian *trombone* “large trumpet,” from *tromba* “trumpet” plus the augmentative suffix *‑one* “big.” It entered English in the early 18th century along with many musical terms from Italian.

Kelly Says

The trombone is literally a “big trumpet” in Italian, but its sliding tube makes it one of the few instruments that can glide smoothly between notes. Cartoon sound effects use trombones so much that the instrument has become a kind of musical punchline machine.

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