konghou
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English
[edit]Alternative forms
[edit]Etymology
[edit]From Mandarin 箜篌 (kōnghóu), from the name of this instrument in the local language of the region of Central Asia whence it came to China; the Sogdian name for the angular harp was [script needed] (cngryʾ /čangaryā/), [script needed] (cyngryʾ /čingaryā/), which derives perhaps from Turkic čingar.
Noun
[edit]konghou (plural konghous)
- (music) A plucked stringed instrument (chordophone) with a harp-like construction, originating in ancient Chinese music as a horizontal instrument but now made to be played vertically, and with strings that are double to allow for techniques like vibrato.