celeste
8.4
A small keyboard instrument that makes a soft bell sound in orchestras
- noun
- /səˈlɛst/
- Specialized
:
celesta
- The delicate sound of the celeste added a magical quality to the orchestra's performance.
Examples
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A famous use of the celeste is in Tchaikovsky's 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.'
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She learned to play the celeste for her role in the chamber music ensemble.
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The celeste adds a lovely tone to the orchestra.
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She played the celeste beautifully during the concert.
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The delicate sound of the celeste added a magical quality to the orchestra's performance.
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She learned to play the celeste for her role in the chamber music ensemble.
-
A famous use of the celeste is in Tchaikovsky's 'Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy.'
Synonyms
1
9.3
A keyboard instrument that makes a soft bell-like sound
has identical meaning but uses an alternate traditional spelling
Compounds
How Bright
Surface Forms
Etymology
Celeste (the instrument) takes its name from Latin caelum 'sky' or 'heaven' and the idea of something 'heavenly', because its soft, bell-like sound was thought to feel magical and sky-like.