Definitions

from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.

  • noun plural Two small, concave shells of ivory or hard wood, shaped like spoons, fastened to the thumb, and beaten together with the middle finger; -- used by the Spaniards and Moors as an accompaniment to their dance and guitars.

from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.

  • noun A percussion instrument (idiophone) consisting of a pair of concave shells joined on one edge by a string, held in the hand and used to produce clicking sounds.

from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

  • noun a percussion instrument consisting of a pair of hollow pieces of wood or bone (usually held between the thumb and fingers) that are made to click together (as by Spanish dancers) in rhythm with the dance

Etymologies

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Examples

  • Daikoku band: they were to sing the ballads Those with the castanets were the Ebisu party and formed the chorus.

    Kokoro Japanese Inner Life Hints Lafcadio Hearn 1877

  • Other girls were provided with a kind of castanets, -- two flat pieces of hard dark wood, connected by a string.

    Kokoro Japanese Inner Life Hints Lafcadio Hearn 1877

  • "Mexican Girl" brings in some obvious yet suitable flourishes, such as castanets and Spanish guitar, neither of which one tends to associate with the Beach Boys.

    Expecting Rain 2008

  • "Mexican Girl" brings in some obvious yet suitable flourishes, such as castanets and Spanish guitar, neither of which one tends to associate with the Beach Boys.

    Expecting Rain 2008

  • The castanets of her many bracelets tinck-tincked as her bright eyes surveyed the room taking in the surface of things.

    Three Stages of Amazement Carol Edgarian 2011

  • The castanets dangling from her key chain clatter in her hand.

    Claudia Ricci: Seeing Red -- "Look, Jack, It's Over!!" Claudia Ricci 2011

  • They were weak and paused often, catching themselves, in the act of stooping, with giddy motions, or staggering to the center of operations with their knees shaking like castanets.

    The Wisdom of the Trail 2010

  • The castanets dangling from her key chain clatter in her hand.

    Claudia Ricci: Seeing Red -- "Look, Jack, It's Over!!" Claudia Ricci 2011

  • They were weak, and paused often, catching themselves, in the act of stooping, with giddy motions, or staggering to the centre of operations with their knees shaking like castanets.

    THE WISDOM OF THE TRAIL 2010

  • La Movida first showed the world that Spain — which now conjures up images of Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum, Pedro Almod ó var's melodramas and Ferran Adri à 's foams — could mean more than castanets, bull fights and suntan lotion.

    In Madrid, the Party Goes On, Austero Style J. S. Marcus 2010

Comments

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  • Put Funicello and O'toole in a play?

    October 12, 2009

  • :-)

    October 13, 2009

  • and, I'll play the clarinet

    use clam shells for castanets

    we play with our bags on our shoulders

    my sweet lady lioness

    October 19, 2009

  • *bilbydances*

    October 19, 2009

  • bilby's bandicootic testicles rattled like castanets.

    October 20, 2011