clavichord

/ˌklævəˈkɔərd/

Other forms: clavichords

A clavichord is an old-fashioned instrument that looks like a small piano. You play a clavichord by pressing keys on a keyboard.

A clavichord sounds similar to a piano but much softer—for this reason, these instruments were most often used to compose and practice music rather than to perform it. During the late medieval period through the early 19th century, the clavichord was very popular, especially in Germany and Scandinavia. The word clavichord combines the Latin clavis, "a key," and chorda, "a string."

Definitions of clavichord

1. noun

   an early stringed instrument like a piano but with more delicate sound
   type of:

   keyboard instrument

   a musical instrument that is played by means of a keyboard

   stringed instrument

   a musical instrument in which taut strings provide the source of sound