Hypertext Webster Gateway: "Trombone"
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (web1913)
Trombone \Trom"bone\, n. [It., aug. of tromba a trumpet: cf. F.
trombone. See {Trump} a trumpet.]
1. (Mus.) A powerful brass instrument of the trumpet kind,
thought by some to be the ancient sackbut, consisting of a
tube in three parts, bent twice upon itself and ending in
a bell. The middle part, bent double, slips into the outer
parts, as in a telescope, so that by change of the
vibrating length any tone within the compass of the
instrument (which may be bass or tenor or alto or even, in
rare instances, soprano) is commanded. It is the only
member of the family of wind instruments whose scale, both
diatonic and chromatic, is complete without the aid of
keys or pistons, and which can slide from note to note as
smoothly as the human voice or a violin. Softly blown, it
has a rich and mellow sound, which becomes harsh and
blatant when the tones are forced; used with discretion,
its effect is often solemn and majestic.
2. (Zo["o]l.) The common European bittern.
From WordNet (r) 1.7 (wn)
trombone
n : a brass instrument consisting of a long tube whose length
can be varied by a U-shaped slide
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