organistrum

noun

or·​ga·​nis·​trum
ˌȯ(r)gəˈnistrəm
plural organistrums
: a large medieval hurdy-gurdy played by two musicians
In one scene, the king and queen are playing an organistrum, the predecessor of the minstrels' hurdy-gurdy …—Benito Varela Jácome and A. Rodríguez Gonzáles, Santiago de Compostela, 1978

Word History

Etymology

Medieval Latin, from Latin organum organ

First Known Use

1847, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of organistrum was in 1847

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Dictionary Entries Near organistrum

organistic

organistrum

organistship

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Cite this Entry

“Organistrum.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/organistrum. Accessed 8 Oct. 2024.

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