virginal
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˈvɜrdʒɪnəl/
- Archaic
:
virginal
- She practiced her pieces on the beautiful virginal in the music room.
These pieces are from Fitzwilliam Virginal book.
- These pieces are from Fitzwilliam Virginal book.
Examples
-
The woman with the Italian virginal.
Fiction book (1990) -
Many the rotted bowl that went unbowed, many the virginal to rust unplucked.
-
This one is a Dowd, this square one is a Dutch-style virginal, a Skovroneck, and this is a genuine Stein fortepiano like the kind Mozart used, from about 1796.
Academic text (2002) -
During the concert, she performed a charming melody on the virginal.
-
The virginal was a popular instrument among women in the 17th century.
Synonyms
7
8.4
A keyboard instrument with strings plucked to make a bright sound
A small keyboard instrument like a harpsichord used in early music
A rectangular instrument without legs with keys like a harpsichord, often played by women in the 1500s and 1600s
A small early keyboard instrument like a harpsichord with one string per note
A keyboard instrument like a piano that makes sound by plucking strings
Compounds
- Archaic
A thin fold of skin that partly covers the entrance to the vagina and is present at birth
How Loud
698
1.0
- Specialized
1
9.8
7
8.4
- Archaic
1
9.9
1
9.9
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Virginal for the small keyboard instrument comes from the same root as virgin, from Latin virgo meaning 'maiden'. It was often played by young women in the past, so picture a young woman at the keyboard to remember the name.