Illustration of theorbo
theorbo
noun
the·or·bo thē-ˈȯr-(ˌ)bō 
plural theorbos
: a stringed instrument of the 17th century resembling a large lute but having an extra set of long bass strings
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web The ensemble consists of music students from Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire who play on baroque-era style instruments including harpsichord, theorbo (a type of lute), baroque violin and viola da gamba. 
Sheryl Devore, chicagotribune.com, 23 Nov. 2021 Soprano Arwen Myers and theorbo player John Lenti perform 400-year-old Italian songs including works by Barbara Strozzi and Monteverdi. oregonlive, 26 May 2021 The orchestra mostly played well and stylishly, although there were some tuning issues early on and twangs on the theorbo (bass lute) were sometimes overdone. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 9 Mar. 2020 There are guitar forerunners here: an oud, a theorbo, a charrango (with a soundbox made of armadillo skin). Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 11 July 2019 Melinda Becker, mezzo-soprano; Susie Fong, harpsichord; Hallie Marshall-Pridham, viola da gamba and baroque cello; Tatiana Senderowicz, theorbo and baroque guitar. Chronicle Staff Report, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 May 2018 Dubrovsky’s eight string players, plus Mark Shuldiner on harpsichord and Brandon Acker on theorbo and baroque guitar, include some of the city’s finest period players. John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 8 Apr. 2018 Set within the whole was a stylish continuo group consisting of Craig Trompeter, cello and viola da gamba; Michael Beattie, organ; and Daniel Swenberg, theorbo. John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 27 Mar. 2018 With Amelie Chemin, viol; Thomas Boysen, theorbo; Markus Hunninger, harpsichord. Chronicle Staff Report, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2018 See More
Sheryl Devore, chicagotribune.com, 23 Nov. 2021 Soprano Arwen Myers and theorbo player John Lenti perform 400-year-old Italian songs including works by Barbara Strozzi and Monteverdi. oregonlive, 26 May 2021 The orchestra mostly played well and stylishly, although there were some tuning issues early on and twangs on the theorbo (bass lute) were sometimes overdone. Scott Cantrell, Dallas News, 9 Mar. 2020 There are guitar forerunners here: an oud, a theorbo, a charrango (with a soundbox made of armadillo skin). Mark Feeney, BostonGlobe.com, 11 July 2019 Melinda Becker, mezzo-soprano; Susie Fong, harpsichord; Hallie Marshall-Pridham, viola da gamba and baroque cello; Tatiana Senderowicz, theorbo and baroque guitar. Chronicle Staff Report, San Francisco Chronicle, 31 May 2018 Dubrovsky’s eight string players, plus Mark Shuldiner on harpsichord and Brandon Acker on theorbo and baroque guitar, include some of the city’s finest period players. John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 8 Apr. 2018 Set within the whole was a stylish continuo group consisting of Craig Trompeter, cello and viola da gamba; Michael Beattie, organ; and Daniel Swenberg, theorbo. John Von Rhein, chicagotribune.com, 27 Mar. 2018 With Amelie Chemin, viol; Thomas Boysen, theorbo; Markus Hunninger, harpsichord. Chronicle Staff Report, San Francisco Chronicle, 1 Mar. 2018 See More Word History
Etymology
modification of Italian tiorba, teorba
First Known Use
1605, in the meaning defined above
- turning bar
- turning basin
- turning bridge
- turning chisel
- turning color
- turning down
- turning engine
- turning gouge
- turning in
- turning loose
- turning movement
- turning off
- turning on
- turning one's back on
- turning one's hand
- turning one's stomach
- turning out
- turning over
- turning over to
- turning plow
- turning point
- turning points
- turning rest
- turning round
- turning saw