Obs. [f. LYRE1, after HARPSICHORD.] A kind of harpsichord (see quot. 1883).
1741. in Spec. Patents Music (1871), 3. A new invention for … meliorating … harpsichords; and lyrichords which are harpsichords, strung with catgut; and spinnets.
1768. S. Bentley, River Dove, 5. Soft touch’d is the Lyrichord String.
1883. A. J. Hipkins, in Grove’s Dict. Mus., III. 639/1. The Lyrichord being a harpsichord strung with wire and catgut, made on the sostinente principle, and actuated by moving wheels instead of the usual quills, so that the bow of the violin and the organ were imitated.
