flexatone

noun

flex·​a·​tone ˈflek-sə-ˌtōn How to pronounce flexatone (audio)
plural flexatones
: a small percussion instrument consisting of a tapered blade of flexible metal mounted in a wire frame which when the frame is shaken is struck alternately by two balls attached at the end of springy metal strips on either side of the sheet and whose pitch can be changed by thumb pressure on the blade

Word History

First Known Use

1924, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of flexatone was in 1924

Love words?

You must — there are over 200,000 words in our free online dictionary, but you are looking for one that’s only in the Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary.

Start your free trial today and get unlimited access to America's largest dictionary, with:

  • More than 250,000 words that aren't in our free dictionary
  • Expanded definitions, etymologies, and usage notes
  • Advanced search features
  • Ad free!

Dictionary Entries Near flexatone

Cite this Entry

“Flexatone.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flexatone. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!