Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Cymbal"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Cymbal \Cym"bal\ (s[i^]m"bal). n. [OE. cimbale, simbale, OF.
cimbale, F. cymbale, L. cymbalum, fr. Gr. ky`mbalon, fr.
ky`mbh, ky`mbos, anything hollow, hollow vessel, basin, akin
to Skr. kumbha pot. Cf. {Chime}.]
1. A musical instrument used by the ancients. It is supposed
to have been similar to the modern kettle drum, though
perhaps smaller.
2. A musical instrument of brass, shaped like a circular dish
or a flat plate, with a handle at the back; -- used in
pairs to produce a sharp ringing sound by clashing them
together.
Note: In orchestras, one cymbal is commonly attached to the
bass drum, and the other heid in the drummer's left
hand, while his right hand uses the drumstick.
3. A musical instrument used by gypsies and others, made of
steel wire, in a triangular form, on which are movable
rings.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
cymbal
n : a percussion instrument consisting of a concave brass disk;
makes a loud crashing sound when hit with a drumstick or
when two are struck together
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