(jew's-harp)

  • 1Jew's harp — A modern Jew s harp …

    Wikipedia

  • 2Jew's-harp — n. [Jew + harp; or possibly a corrupt. of jaw s harp; cf. G. maultrommel, lit., mouthdrum.] 1. An instrument of music, which, when placed between the teeth, gives, by means of a bent metal tongue struck by the finger, a sound which is modulated …

    The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • 3Jew's-harp — Jew s harpˈ or Jews harpˈ or Jew s trumpˈ or Jews trumpˈ noun (also without cap) a small lyre shaped instrument played against the teeth by plucking a metal tongue with the finger • • • Main Entry: ↑Jew * * * jew s harp or jews harp «JOOZ HAHRP» …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 4jew's-harp — or jews harp [jo͞oz′härp΄] n. 〚earlier Jew s trump, altered (by assoc. with JEW) < Du jeugdtromp, child s trumpet < jeugd,YOUTH (confused in Eng with ME Judeu, Jew) + tromp, trumpet < OFr trompe: see …

    Universalium

  • 5jew's-harp — or jews harp [jo͞oz′härp΄] n. [earlier Jew s trump, altered (by assoc. with JEW) &LT; Du jeugdtromp, child s trumpet &LT; jeugd,YOUTH (confused in Eng with ME Judeu, Jew) + tromp, trumpet &LT; OFr trompe: see TRUMP2] a small musical instrument&#8230; …

    English World dictionary

  • 6Jew's harp — ► NOUN ▪ a small lyre shaped musical instrument held between the teeth and struck with a finger …

    English terms dictionary

  • 7jew's harp — noun a small lyre shaped musical instrument that is placed between the teeth and played by twanging a wire tongue while changing the shape of the mouth cavity • Syn: ↑jews harp, ↑mouth bow • Hypernyms: ↑musical instrument, ↑instrument * * * ˈjüz&#8230; …

    Useful english dictionary

  • 8Jew's harp — (sometimes l.c.) a small, simple musical instrument consisting of a lyre shaped metal frame containing a metal tongue, which is plucked while the frame is held in the teeth, the vibrations causing twanging tones. Also, Jews harp. [1585 95; perh.&#8230; …

    Universalium

  • 9Jew's harp — Jew s′ (or Jews ′) harp n. mad (sometimes l.c.) a small, simple musical instrument consisting of a lyre shaped metal frame containing a metal tongue, which is plucked while the frame is held in the teeth, the vibrations causing twanging tones •&#8230; …

    From formal English to slang

  • 10jew's harp — /ˈdʒuz hap/ (say joohz hahp) noun a musical instrument consisting of a circular metal frame with a metal tongue which is plucked while the frame is held between the teeth, the varying position of the mouth changing the tone. Also, jaw harp.&#8230; …