Mus. Obs. exc. Hist. Forms: 5 claui-, 6 clawesymballe, 7 clavecymbal, 9 clavicimbal, -cymbal, and in It. form clavicembalo. [ad. med.L. clāvicymbalum, -cymbolum (in Rules of the Minnesingers by Eberhard Cersne, 1404), f. clāvis key + cymbalum CYMBAL. In It. clavicembalo, gravicembalo (both in Florio), F. clavecin (Cotgr. clavessin, OF. clavechinbolon), Ger. clavizimbel, perverted klaffenzimmer. See also CLARICYMBAL, CLAVECIN.]

1

  An old name of the Harpsichord, a musical instrument with keys, and strings set in vibration by means of quills or leathern plectra in wooden uprights called jacks.

2

1492.  Will of Clyff (Somerset Ho.). My Clauysymballes.

3

1506.  Will. of Tho. Buttler (Somerset Ho.). A payre of Clawesymballes.

4

1656.  Blount, Glossogr., Clavecymbal, a pair of Virginals, or Claricords.

5

1864.  Engel, Mus. Anc. Nat., 42. The German clavicimbel … was a kind of spinet.

6

1879.  A. J. Hipkins, in Grove, Dict. Mus., I. 367/1. Mattheson lauded the clavichord above the clavicymbel or harpsichord. Ibid., s.v. Cembalo.… The dulcimer, or cembalo, with keys added, became the clavicembalo.

7