noun
timbrel
TIM-brul/ˈtɪmbrəl/
A small hand drum resembling a tambourine.
The timbrel has a taut drumhead and metal jingles around its wooden rim.
Etymology
The drum word timbre takes a diminutive ending, making timbrel essentially a “little drum.” It preserves the older instrument meaning of timbre in the name of a small hand drum.
More examples
- He holds the timbrel in one hand and strikes it with the other.
- The song opens with flutes and timbrels.
- A small timbrel hangs beside the larger drums.
Forms
timbrel · timbrels
Similar words
- tambourine
- The usual modern name for a similar jingled hand drum.
- drum
- A broader term covering many sizes and playing techniques.