[F. clavier, orig. a key-bearer (on L. type clāviārius, f. clāvis key), hence key-board. Thence, Ger. clavier, klavier, Du. klavier, Da. klaveer, Sw. klaver.]
1. The key-board or set of keys of a musical instrument. (Cf. CLAVER sb.2)
1708. Motteux, Rabelais, V. xx. (1737), 88. The Pedals of Turbith, and the Clavier or Keys of Scammony.
1855. Browning, Master Hugues, iii. I looked up and surveyed, O’er my three claviers, yon forest of pipes Whence you still peeped in the shade.
1879. E. J. Hopkiss in Grove, Dict. Mus., I. 485/1. Communication is established between the claviers of an organ and the sound-board pallets.
2. A general German name of all keyboard instruments with strings, but specially the clavichord; later, the pianoforte. Also attrib.
1845. E. Holmes, Mozart, 13. [Mozart] having commenced composition without recourse to the clavier.
1880. Libr. Univ. Knowl., II. 91. [Bach’s] numerous works … written for his favorite instrument, the clavier (the piano of that day).
1885. Athenæum, 21 March, 385/2. Four of the clavier concertos … were given with the aid of a small but select orchestra.
1886. Academy, 22 May, 371/2. The eminent pianist will … play, as it were, a history of clavier music from the time of Queen Elizabeth to that of Queen Victoria.
Hence Clavierist, a player on the clavier.
1845. E. Holmes, Mozart, 111. Becché [was] a celebrated clavierist of the day.
