A clavichord is a musical instrument rather like a small piano. When you press the keys, small pieces of metal come up and hit the strings. Clavichords were especially popular during the eighteenth century.
clavichord in British English
(ˈklævɪˌkɔːd)
noun
a keyboard instrument consisting of a number of thin wire strings struck from below by brass tangents. The instrument is noted for its delicate tones, since the tangents do not rebound from the string until the key is released
Derived forms
clavichordist (ˈclaviˌchordist)
noun
Word origin
C15: from Medieval Latin clāvichordium, from Latin clāvis key + chorda string, chord1
clavichord in American English
(ˈklævɪˌkɔrd)
noun
a stringed musical instrument with a keyboard, predecessor of the piano: horizontal strings, generally of equal length, are struck at various points from below by metal wedges (tangents) at the end of each key, producing soft tones with limited dynamics
see also harpsichord
Word origin
ME clavicord < ML clavicordium < L clavis, a key (see close2) + chorda, chord1