ˈclaviature [ad.Ger.klaviatur, repr. L. type *clāviatūra, f.clāvis key: cf.OF.claveüre.] The key-board of an organ or pianoforte. 1882–3Schaff Encycl.Rel.Knowl. II. 1702 The pedal claviature was not invented until the beginning of the fifteenth century.