harpsichord

• harpsicord (dated)
• harpicord, harpichord (archaic)
• harpsicon (obsolete)
• Cemb., Hpcd., Hpd., Hpsd., Hrpsd. (musical notation, always capitalized)

Early 1600s, borrowed from French harpechord (“harp string”), from New Latin harpichordium, from harpa (“harp”) + chorda (“string”). Influenced by and possibly also borrowed from Italian arpicordo, producing variant spellings. The unetymological -s-, which predominates by the 1660s, is of unclear origin.

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈhɑː(ɹ)p.sɪ.kɔː(ɹ)d/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈhɑɹp.sɪˌkɔɹd/

• Audio (US):

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harpsichord (plural harpsichords)

1. (music) A stringed musical instrument with a keyboard, the mechanical precusor to the fortepiano, in which each key causes a plectrum to pluck a corresponding tuned string, producing a bright, sharp tone similar to that of a harp.

• cembalo
• spinet
• clavichord

• 1986. A Plain & Easy Introduction to the Harpsichord. Ruth Nurmi. Pg. 15.