clavichord
UK[ˈklæv.ɪ.kɔːd]US[ˈklæv.ɪ.kɔːrd]
n
A small, soft-toned keyboard instrument used from the early 15th to early 19th centuries, in which the strings are struck by metal blades called tangents.
Morpheme Breakdown
clavi
chord
clavi
key
chord
string
Etymology
The word 'clavichord' is a direct borrowing from Medieval Latin clavichordium, which itself is a compound of two Latin words: clavis ("key") and chorda ("string"). This nomenclature perfectly describes the instrument's fundamental mechanism, where pressing a key (clavis) activates a tangent to strike a string (chorda). The term entered English in the 15th century, coinciding with the instrument's rise in popularity during the Renaissance. Its construction is a literal fusion of the concepts of a keyboard and a stringed instrument, making its name a transparent and logical technical description.
Analysis
Structure: clavi (key) + chord (string)
- clavi: From Latin clavis, meaning "key". In this compound, it denotes the keyboard component.
- chord: From Latin chorda, meaning "string of a musical instrument". It denotes the stringed component.
Examples
The delicate sound of the clavichord was ideal for intimate chamber music in the Baroque period.
Bach's compositions for the clavichord showcase its expressive capabilities.
Modern replicas of the clavichord allow musicians to experience historical performance practices.