castanet

From Spanish castañeta, diminutive form of castaña, from Latin castanea, from Ancient Greek καστάνεια (kastáneia, “chestnut”), possibly of Pre-Greek origin. Related to the chest in chestnut, formerly chesten.

• (UK, US) IPA^(key): /ˌkæs.tə.ˈnɛt/

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castanet (plural castanets)

1. (music, chiefly in the plural) A single handheld percussion instrument consisting of a pair of concave shells or shell-shaped parts joined on one edge by string.

• castanetist

• anteacts