Hurdy-gurdy

1 definition found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Hurdy-gurdy \Hur"dy-gur`dy\, n. [Prob. of imitative origin.]
     1. A stringled instrument, lutelike in shape, in which the
        sound is produced by the friction of a wheel turned by a
        crank at the end, instead of by a bow, two of the strings
        being tuned as drones, while two or more, tuned in unison,
        are modulated by keys.


        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. In California, a water wheel with radial buckets, driven
        by the impact of a jet.
        [1913 Webster]