'Castanets' definitions:

Definition of 'castanets'

From: WordNet
noun
A percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance [syn: bones, castanets, clappers, finger cymbals]

Definition of 'Castanets'

From: GCIDE
  • Castanets \Cas"ta*nets\, n. pl. [F. castagnettes, Sp. casta[~n]etas, fr. L. castanea (Sp. casta[~n]a) a chestnut. So named from the resemblance to two chestnuts, or because chestnuts were first used for castanets. See Chestnut.] Two small, concave shells of ivory or hard wood, shaped like spoons, fastened to the thumb, and beaten together with the middle finger; -- used by the Spaniards and Moors as an accompaniment to their dance and guitars. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The singular, castanet, is used of one of the pair, or, sometimes, of the pair forming the instrument. [1913 Webster]
  • The dancer, holding a castanet in each hand, rattles them to the motion of his feet. --Moore (Encyc. of Music). [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'castanets'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Castanets'