spinet

Noun

WordNet 3.0

Noun (2)

  1. a small and compactly built upright piano
  2. early model harpsichord with only one string per note
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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. [1913 Webster]

Dumb spinet. (Mus.) See Manichordon. [1913 Webster]

Spinet \Spi"net\, n. [L. spinetum. See Spinny.] A spinny. [Obs.] --B. Jonson. [1913 Webster]
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