Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Hurdy-gurdy
Hur′dy-gurˊdy
,Noun.
[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.
2.
In California, a water wheel with radial buckets, driven by the impact of a jet.
Webster 1828 Edition
Hurdy-gurdy
HUR'DY-GURDY
,Noun.
Definition 2024
hurdy-gurdy
hurdy-gurdy
English
A stringed hurdy-gurdy
Adjective
hurdy-gurdy (not comparable)
- (humorous) Sounding like the Swedish language.
Noun
hurdy-gurdy (plural hurdy-gurdies)
- (music) A stringed instrument that produces a droning sound by turning a handle that connects to a wheel that rubs against a rosined string, with a keyboard also used to alter the pitch of the string.
- (music) Synonym of street organ
- (US, California) A water wheel with radial buckets, driven by the impact of a jet.
Derived terms
Synonyms
- wheel fiddle (the stringed instrument)
See also
- Appendix:Glossary of chordophones
- viellist (one who plays a hurdy-gurdy)
Translations
stringed instrument
barrel organ — see barrel organ