castagnette

castanet

noun kas-tahn-YET Rare

Origin: From Spanish 'castañeta', diminutive of 'castaña' (chestnut), from the wood used.

Usage Note

Castagnette is almost always used in the plural castagnettes, since the instrument consists of a matched pair. Associated in France primarily with Spanish flamenco and Andalusian dance, though similar instruments exist in many world music traditions. The clicking sound is described as claquer des castagnettes.

Examples

"Elle claquait des castagnettes en dansant le flamenco."

Natural Translation

She was clicking her castanets while dancing flamenco.

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