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clavichordist

clavichordist

1 9.9
A person who plays the clavichord, an old keyboard instrument
  • noun
  • /ˈklævɪˌkɔrdɪst/
: clavichordista
  • As a skilled clavichordist, she performed baroque music beautifully on her antique instrument.

Examples

  • The clavichordist performed beautifully at the concert.

  • Many clavichordists are reviving interest in historical music.

  • The talented clavichordist captivated the audience with a delicate performance of early music.

  • Many clavichordists also study the harpsichord and other historical instruments.

  • As a dedicated clavichordist, she spends hours practicing Baroque pieces every week.

  • Many clavichordists gather annually to share their passion for this unique keyboard instrument.

  • The clavichordist demonstrated his talent by playing a sonata that captivated the audience.

How Skilled

clavichordist
1 9.9
amateur
132 2.8

Surface Forms

clavichordist singular

Morphology

clavichordist = clavichord (transparent) = clavichord + ist

Clear agentive formation: the noun 'clavichord' + agentive suffix '-ist' yields 'player of the clavichord', which is directly predictable.

Etymology

Clavichordist comes from the instrument clavichord, which joins clavi- 'key' and chord 'string'—the same basic ideas you see in keyboard and the music word chord. So a clavichordist is literally a player of the 'key-string' instrument, which explains why the word means someone who plays the clavichord.