zill

zill

Z0015700 (zĭl)n. One of a pair of round metal cymbals attached to the fingers and struck together for rhythm and percussion in belly dancing.

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[Turkish zil, cymbals, probably (perhaps via Armenian zil, highest-pitched pair of strings on an oud) from Persian zīr, highest-pitched pair of strings on an oud, shrill sound, probably from Arabizing alteration of Persian zēr, under, below (in reference to the fact that when a player holds an oud to be played, the bottom pair of strings is tuned the highest), from Middle Persian azēr, under, below : az, from, out of (from Old Iranian hačā; see sek^w- in Indo-European roots) + ēr, down, below (from Old Iranian aδara-, lower; see n̥dher- in Indo-European roots).]

zill

(zɪl) n1. (Instruments) a finger cymbal used to keep rhythm in belly-dancing2. (Dancing) a finger cymbal used to keep rhythm in belly-dancing

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

zill - one of a pair of small metallic cymbals worn on the thumb and middle finger; used in belly dancing in rhythm with the dancecymbal - a percussion instrument consisting of a concave brass disk; makes a loud crashing sound when hit with a drumstick or when two are struck together