saxophone

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See also: Saxophone and saxophoné

English[edit]

An alto saxophone.

Etymology[edit]

Borrowed from French saxophone, a combination of the surname of its inventor Adolphe Sax (1814–1894) + -o- + -phone (something that makes a sound), from Ancient Greek φωνή (phōnḗ, sound, voice). The first element surname is a variant of the German Sachs (Saxon). Analyzable as Sax +‎ -o- +‎ -phone.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈsæksəfoʊn/
  • (file)

Noun[edit]

saxophone (plural saxophones)

  1. A single-reed instrument musical instrument of the woodwind family, usually made of brass and with a distinctive loop bringing the bell upwards.
    Synonyms: sax, gobble-pipe, saxomaphone

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Verb[edit]

saxophone (third-person singular simple present saxophones, present participle saxophoning, simple past and past participle saxophoned)

  1. To play the saxophone.

References[edit]

  • Wilson, R.M., and Reaney, Percy H., Dictionary of English Surnames, 3rd ed., Oxford University Press, 1995.

Further reading[edit]

French[edit]

Etymology[edit]

Sax +‎ -o- +‎ -phone. Named after Adolphe Sax (1814–1894), its inventor.

Pronunciation[edit]

Noun[edit]

saxophone m (plural saxophones)

  1. saxophone

Derived terms[edit]

Descendants[edit]

  • English: saxophone
  • Spanish: saxofón

Verb[edit]

saxophone

  1. inflection of saxophoner:
    1. first/third-person singular present indicative/subjunctive
    2. second-person singular imperative

Further reading[edit]