spinet
Petite keyboard ancestor
A spinet is a small harpsichord, typically with a single keyboard and strings set at an angle to the keys rather than running straight back.
The term later came to designate a compact upright piano, popular in mid-20th-century American homes where space was limited.
My grandmother learned to play on an old spinet in the parlor.
In either sense, spinet suggests a modest, space-saving keyboard instrument rather than a grand one.
Plucked-string keyboard instrument
- clavichordSoft-toned keyed instrument
- virginalUnsullied or inexperienced
- pianoforteKeyboard with hammered strings
- fortepianoEarly hammer-action keyboard
clavier · quills · plucking · soundboard · strings · keyboard · octave · temperament
Limited in size
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- space-savingMinimizing area used
- apartmentRented unit in building
- portableAble to be carried
miniature · vertical · short · economical · household · domestic · student · practice
Quality from past eras
- heirloomInherited family treasure
- relicPreserved ancient object
- historicOf lasting significance
- collectibleObject worth amassing
restored · ornate · carved · mahogany · walnut · veneer · patina · provenance
harpsichord
Plucked-string keyboard instrument
- clavichordSoft-toned keyed instrument
- virginalUnsullied or inexperienced
- pianoforteKeyboard with hammered strings
fortepiano · clavier · quills · plucking · soundboard · strings · keyboard · octave · temperament · tuning
small
Limited in size
- uprightVertical or morally sound
- space-savingMinimizing area used
- apartmentRented unit in building
portable · miniature · vertical · short · economical · household · domestic · student · practice · home
vintage
Quality from past eras
collectible · restored · ornate · carved · mahogany · walnut · veneer · patina · provenance · period
harpsichord
Plucked-string keyboard instrument
Scarlatti · Couperin · fugue · counterpoint · ornamentation · sonata · chamber · polyphony · gigue · allemande
- keyboard instrumentspiano, organ, harpsichord, clavichord, virginal
- early instrumentslute, harpsichord, viol, recorder, sackbut
- Keyboard Concertospiano concerto, concerto, piano, harpsichord, fortepiano
- Keyboard Musicpiano, piano duet, four hands, keyboard, grand piano
- small pianostoy piano, baby grand, mini keyboard
- Baroque Keyboardharpsichord, organ, clavichord, fugue, prelude
spinetgrand piano
Large horizontal keyboard instrument
concert grand · pipe organ · grand · church organ · baby grand
spinetpipe organ
Wind instrument with tuned tubes
church organ · cathedral organ · orchestra · timpani · bass drum
- sent shivers down someone's spineCaused intense fear reaction
- down the spine
- send shivers down someone's spineFrighten profoundly, physically
- book spineBound edge with title
- broken spineSevered spinal column
- send a shiver down someone's spineCause sudden fearful sensation