klezmer
UK[ˈklezmə]US[ˈklezmər]
n
A musician who plays traditional Jewish music, especially at weddings and other celebrations.
n
The traditional instrumental music of the Ashkenazi Jews of Eastern Europe, characterized by expressive melodies that often imitate the human voice.
Etymology
The word 'klezmer' entered English from Yiddish (קלעזמער), where it referred to a musician. The Yiddish term is a contraction of two Hebrew words: 'kley' (כְּלִי), meaning "vessel, instrument," and 'zemer' (זֶמֶר), meaning "song, melody." Originally, in 16th-century Eastern European Jewish communities, it denoted the musicians themselves, who were often itinerant. Over time, especially in late 20th-century English usage, the meaning expanded to describe the vibrant, soulful musical genre played by these artists, characterized by its improvisational style and emotive power.
Analysis
This word is a loanword from Yiddish, which itself combined elements from Hebrew and Old High German. It functions as a simplex noun in English.
Examples
The festival featured a renowned klezmer who played the clarinet with incredible passion.
We listened to a beautiful set of klezmer that filled the room with joy and nostalgia.
She has dedicated her career to studying and performing traditional klezmer.