xylophone
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Meaning
a musical instrument consisting of a set of flat wooden bars of different lengths that you hit with a pair of small wooden hammers
Structure
Usage
the child played a simple tune on the toy xylophone.
the percussionist's solo featured a mesmerizing run on the xylophone.
in the music classroom, a row of xylophones stood ready for the students.
Etymology
The word 'xylophone' is a modern scientific compound formed in the 19th century from two Ancient Greek roots: 'xylon' (wood) and 'phōnē' (sound, voice). It follows a classical naming pattern common for instruments, literally translating to "wood sound." This construction directly and logically describes the instrument's primary characteristic—producing sound from wooden bars. The term exemplifies the systematic use of Greek elements in European languages to create precise technical vocabulary for new inventions and discoveries.
Analysis
xylo: from greek 'xylon', meaning 'wood'. serves as the word's root, indicating the material. phone: from greek 'phōnē', meaning 'sound, voice'. serves as the combining form, indicating the instrument's function.