monochord

noun

mono·​chord ˈmä-nə-ˌkȯrd 

: an instrument of ancient origin for measuring and demonstrating the mathematical relations of musical tones and that consists of a single string stretched over a sound box and a movable bridge set on a graduated scale

Examples of monochord in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

With gongs, crystal bowls, Tibetan singing bowls, Native American flute, didgeridoo, Celtic Harp, monochord, vibraphone. —San Francisco Chronicle, 24 May 2018

Word History

Etymology

Middle English monocorde, from Middle French, from Medieval Latin monochordum, from Greek monochordon, from mon- + chordē string — more at yarn

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

monochord

noun

mono·​chord ˈmän-ə-ˌkȯ(ə)rd 

: an instrument that has been used to test hearing acuity and that consists of a single string stretched over a sounding board and a movable bridge set on a graduated scale