tympani

Noun
Synonyms: kettlekettledrumtympanumtimpani

WordNet 3.0

Noun (1)

  1. a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on itSynonyms: kettlekettledrumtympanumtimpani
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Kettledrum \Ket"tle*drum`\ (-dr[u^]m`), n.

1.(Mus.) A drum made of thin copper in the form of a hemispherical kettle, with parchment stretched over the mouth of it. [1913 Webster]

Note: Kettledrums, in pairs, were formerly used in martial music for cavalry, but are now chiefly confined to orchestras, where they are called tympani. [1913 Webster]

2.An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening. Cf. Drum, n., 4 and 5. [1913 Webster]

Tympano \Tym"pa*no\, n.; pl. Tympani. [It. timpano. See Tympanum.] (Mus.) A kettledrum; -- chiefly used in the plural to denote the kettledrums of an orchestra. See Kettledrum. [Written also timpano.] [1913 Webster]
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