Armonica

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A compact musical instrument that produces harmonies by forcing air across reeds located within a casing
2. A handheld instrument that generates pleasant sounds as air flows through its metal reeds situated in a closed body
3. An instrument commonly played by inhaling and exhaling air through reeds, which produces musical notes and harmonies while being held in the hand

Etymology: Benjamin Franklin invented the instrument this word names, and he coined the name himself, built on Italian "armonia", meaning "harmony". Franklin's design was a row of nested glass bowls spun on a horizontal spindle, played by wetting the rims with the fingertips, so the name pointed straight at the harmony the sound produced rather than at any reed or mechanism. The word did not stay put. Franklin's original term was later corrupted into "glass harmonica", and that form was shaped by "harmonica", the name of a reed instrument invented some sixty years after Franklin's. So the instrument's name was partly rewritten by a different, newer instrument that shared its musical purpose.

Synonyms: mouth organ, harmonica