sistrum

noun

sis·​trum

ˈsistrəm

plural sistrums

-rəmz

or sistra

-rə

1

: an ancient Egyptian and Roman percussion instrument sacred to the goddesses Hathor and Isis consisting usually of a handle attached to a small metal strip bent into an oblong loop with holes for three or four loose metal rods that jingle when shaken

2

: any of various musical instruments played like a rattle

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin, from Greek seistron, from seiein to shake

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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