Word Meanings - HARPSICHORD - Book Publishers vocabulary database

A harp-shaped instrument of music set horizontally on legs, like the grand piano, with strings of wire, played by the fingers, by means of keys provided with quills, instead of hammers, for striking the strings. It is now superseded by the piano.

Related words: (words related to HARPSICHORD)

• PLAY
  quick motion, and probably to OS. plegan to promise, pledge, D. plegen to care for, attend to, be wont, G. pflegen; of unknown 1. To engage in sport or lively recreation; to exercise for the sake of amusement; to frolic; to spot. As Cannace was
• GRANDEUR
  The state or quality of being grand; vastness; greatness; splendor; magnificence; stateliness; sublimity; dignity; elevation of thought or expression; nobility of action. Nor doth this grandeur and majestic show Of luxury . . . allure mine eye.
• PLAYGROUND
  A piece of ground used for recreation; as, the playground of a school.
• PLAYWRITER
  A writer of plays; a dramatist; a playwright. Lecky.
• PIANOGRAPH
  A form of melodiograph applied to a piano.
• MUSIC HALL
  A place for public musical entertainments; specif. , esp. a public hall for vaudeville performances, in which smoking and drinking are usually allowed in the auditorium.
• INSTRUMENTAL
  Pertaining to, made by, or prepared for, an instrument, esp. a musical instrument; as, instrumental music, distinguished from vocal music. "He defended the use of instrumental music in public worship." Macaulay. Sweet voices mix'd with instrumental
• SHAPE
  is from the strong verb, AS. scieppan, scyppan, sceppan, p. p. 1. To form or create; especially, to mold or make into a particular form; to give proper form or figure to. I was shapen in iniquity. Ps. li. 5. Grace shaped her limbs, and
• PLAYTE
  See PLEYT
• GRANDEESHIP
  The rank or estate of a grandee; lordship. H. Swinburne.
• HORIZONTALLY
  In a horizontal direction or position; on a level; as, moving horizontally.
• PIANO
  Soft; -- a direction to the performer to execute a certain passage softly, and with diminished volume of tone.
• GRANDMA; GRANDMAMMA
  A grand mother.
• GRANDUNCLE
  father's or mother's uncle.
• PROVIDENCE
  A manifestation of the care and superintendence which God exercises over his creatures; an event ordained by divine direction. He that hath a numerous family, and many to provide for, needs a greater providence of God. Jer. Taylor. 4. Prudence in
• GRANDIFIC
  Making great. Bailey.
• MUSICALLY
  In a musical manner.
• GRANDILOQUENT
  Speaking in a lofty style; pompous; bombastic.
• GRANDNESS
  Grandeur. Wollaston.
• GRANDILOQUENCE
  The use of lofty words or phrases; bombast; -- usually in a bad sense. The sin of grandiloquence or tall talking. Thackeray,
• MISHAPPEN
  To happen ill or unluckily. Spenser.
• PHILOMUSICAL
  Loving music. Busby.
• SPINDLE-SHAPED
  Thickest in the middle, and tapering to both ends; fusiform; -- applied chiefly to roots. (more info) 1. Having the shape of a spindle.
• MELOPIANO
  A piano having a mechanical attachment which enables the player to prolong the notes at will.
• DIAMOND-SHAPED
  Shaped like a diamond or rhombus.
• STRAP-SHAPED
  Shaped like a strap; ligulate; as, a strap-shaped corolla.
• GREAT-GRANDFATHER
  The father of one's grandfather or grandmother.