hurdy-gurdy

== English == === Etymology === Probably onomatopoeic in imitation of the sound produced by the stringed instrument. Compare obsolete hirdy-girdy (“an uproar; noise”). Attested from the 1740s. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈhɜː.diˌɡɜː.di/, /ˌhɜː.diˈɡɜː.di/ (US) IPA(key): /ˈhɝː.diˌɡɝː.di/, /ˌhɝː.diˈɡɝː.di/ , === Noun === hurdy-gurdy (plural hurdy-gurdies) (music) A stringed instrument that produces a droning sound by turning a handle that connects to a wheel that rubs against a rosined string, with a keyboard also used to alter the pitch of the string. (music) Synonym of street organ, often considered a misnomer. (US, California) A water wheel with radial buckets, driven by the impact of a jet. (fishing, sailing) A winch, a windlass. ==== Synonyms ==== (stringed instrument): wheel fiddle ==== Derived terms ==== hurdy-gurdyist ==== Translations ==== === Adjective === hurdy-gurdy (not comparable) (humorous) Sounding like the Swedish language. === See also === Appendix:Glossary of chordophones viellist (one who plays a hurdy-gurdy) === References ===