Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Spinet"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Spinet \Spin"et\, n. [OF. espinete, F. ['e]pinette (cf. It.
spinetta), fr. L. spina a thorn; -- so called because its
quills resemble thorns. See {Spine}.] (Mus.)
A keyed instrument of music resembling a harpsichord, but
smaller, with one string of brass or steel wire to each note,
sounded by means of leather or quill plectrums or jacks. It
was formerly much used.
{Dumb spinet}. (Mus.) See {Manichordon}.
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Spinet \Spi"net\, n. [L. spinetum. See {Spinny}.]
A spinny. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
spinet
n 1: small and compactly built upright piano
2: early model harpsichord with only one string per note
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