armonica

See also: armónica

English

An armonica

Etymology

Coined by Benjamin Franklin, its inventor; built on Italian armonia (“harmony”). Glass harmonica is a corruption of Franklin's original word, a back-formation influenced by harmonica (a reed instrument invented sixty years later).

Noun

armonica (plural armonicas)

1. A musical instrument made of blown-glass bowls mounted on a spindle turned originally by a foot pedal, and played with wetted fingers, producing an ethereal sound. Technically, it is a crystallophone. It has enjoyed a modern revival.

Synonyms

• glass harmonica

Derived terms

• armonicist

Further reading

• armonica on Wikipedia.Wikipedia

Anagrams

• Marocain, armoniac, macaroni, marocain

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Italian

Noun

armonica f (plural armoniche)

1. armonica, glass harmonica
2. (informal) harmonica, mouth organ

Derived terms

• armonica a bocca
• fisarmonica

 

Adjective

1. (deprecated template usage) Feminine singular of adjective armonico.

Anagrams

• marciano, ricamano, romanica