Spinet

4 definitions found

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

  Spinet \Spin"et\, n. [OF. espinete, F. ['e]pinette (cf. It.
     spinetta), fr. L. spina a thorn; -- so called because its
     quills resemble thorns. See {Spine}.] (Mus.)
     A keyed instrument of music resembling a harpsichord, but
     smaller, with one string of brass or steel wire to each note,
     sounded by means of leather or quill plectrums or jacks. It


     was formerly much used.
     [1913 Webster]
  
     {Dumb spinet}. (Mus.) See {Manichordon}.
        [1913 Webster]

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

  Spinet \Spi"net\, n. [L. spinetum. See {Spinny}.]
     A spinny. [Obs.] --B. Jonson.
     [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  spinet
       n 1: small and compactly built upright piano
       2: early model harpsichord with only one string per note

From Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 [moby-thes]:

  38 Moby Thesaurus words for "spinet":
     Klavier, Steinway, baby grand, cembalo, clarichord, clavicembalo,
     clavichord, clavicittern, clavicymbal, clavicytherium, clavier,
     concert grand, cottage piano, couched harp, dulcimer harpsichord,
     grand, grand piano, hammer dulcimer, harmonichord, harpsichord,
     manichord, manichordon, melodion, melopiano, monochord,
     pair of virginals, parlor grand, pianette, pianino, piano,
     piano-violin, pianoforte, sostinente pianoforte, square piano,
     upright, upright piano, violin piano, virginal