Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
fallboard

fallboard

9.8
A hinged cover on a piano that protects the keys when not played
  • noun
  • /ˈfɔːlˌbɔrd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : tapa del piano
  • The fallboard protects the keys from dust.
  • close the fallboard

Examples

  • Please close the fallboard after use.

  • The musician opened the fallboard to reveal the beautiful keys before starting the concert.

  • A gentle push lowered the fallboard into place, hiding the piano keys.

  • Please make sure to close the fallboard when you finish practicing the piano.

  • The old piano's fallboard was engraved with the manufacturer's name.

  • She gently closed the fallboard to protect the piano keys after practicing.

  • After she finished playing, he always made sure to close the fallboard to keep dust away.

Synonyms

fall-board
vsfallboard
9.3

A cover that folds down to protect piano keys when not played

is the same term written without a hyphen in modern usage

Surface Forms

fallboard singular
fallboards plural

Morphology

fallboard = fall + board (transparent) = fall + board

The meaning is directly deducible as a board that falls or is used to cover (i.e., a board that falls down to cover the keyboard).

Etymology

Fallboard comes from the English parts fall ('to drop') and board ('a flat piece of wood'); it is literally a board that 'falls' down over the piano keys, so it protects the keyboard when the instrument is not being played.