Also 9 tim-. [ad. F. tympaniste, It. timpanista, L. tympanista, Gr. τυμπανιστής, f. τυμπανίζειν TYMPANIZE, or f. timpan TYMPAN + -IST.] One who beats or plays upon a drum, a drummer. In quot. 1862, one who plays a tympan (TYMPAN 1 b).
1611. Cotgr., Tympaniste, a Timpanist; a player on a Timpan, &c.
1656. Blount, Glossogr., Tympanist, a Drumster or Taberer.
1862. in O’Curry, Anc. Irish, xxxi. (1873), III. 236. ‘Why is the Timpan called Timpan Naimh (or saint’s Timpan), and yet no saint ever took a Timpan into his hands?’ ‘I do not know,’ said the timpanist.
1906. Daily Chron., 22 Sept., 1/3. Solo for Six Timpani and Orchestra … Timpanist—Mr. G. G. Cleather.
So † Tympanister [ad. L. tympanistria, a. Gr. τυμπανίστρια], a female player on a drum or tambourine.
1382. Wyclif, Ps. lxvii. 26. The princis camen befor joyned with the singeris; in the myddel of the ȝunge wymmen tympanystris.
