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Glite Dictionary
🥂 Glass bowl instrument 🎵 Mouth organ
armonica

armonica

1 9.9
A set of glass bowls that make sound when you rub their rims with wet fingers
  • noun
  • /ɑrˈmɪnɪkə/
  • Archaic
translation icon : armonio
  • She played the armonica beautifully.
  • glass armonica

Examples

  • The musician played a haunting melody on the armonica during the concert.

  • Benjamin Franklin invented the armonica, which fascinated audiences in the 18th century.

  • The delicate sound of the armonica filled the hall with an ethereal atmosphere.

  • The armonica is often used in blues music.

  • The musician performed a beautiful piece on the armonica made of glass bowls.

  • Many people were captivated by the soothing sounds of the armonica at the outdoor concert.

  • In the 18th century, Benjamin Franklin popularized the armonica, a unique instrument made of glass.

Surface Forms

armonica singular
armonicas plural

Etymology

The word armonica comes from the Greek root harmonia meaning 'harmony' or 'agreement', and Benjamin Franklin gave this name to his glass instrument because its rubbing bowls make clear notes that fit together. So the name reminds us that the glass bowls make soft, singing sounds that join into a musical 'harmony'.