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Glite Dictionary
finger cymbals

finger cymbals

1 7.3
A pair of small metal discs worn on the fingers and tapped to make a bright ring used in dance
  • noun
  • /ˈfɪŋɡər ˈsɪmbəlz/
translation icon : cymbales
  • Have the students chant and play the rhythmic pattern on a drum, tambourine, or finger cymbals.

Examples

  • As the dancers moved gracefully across the stage, the soft tinkling of the finger cymbals filled the air.

  • Tap or play the repeated rhythm of the finger cymbals.

    Academic text (2005)

  • Students can experience and experiment with these modes on finger cymbals and goblet-shaped drums.

    Academic text (2003)

  • During the dance class, she used her finger cymbals to create a lively rhythm.

  • The musician's performance was enhanced by the enchanting sounds of the finger cymbals as he danced.

Synonyms

zill
vsfinger cymbals
1 9.9

A small metal instrument you wear on your thumb and middle finger and play for rhythm

sit on various fingers for multiple dance styles rather than fixed thumb placement

How Loud

woodblock
3.7
clave
7.9
clappers
7.9
castanets
8.3
finger cymbals
1 7.3

Surface Forms

finger cymbals plural
finger cymbal singular

Morphology

finger + cymbal

The meaning is directly and compositionally built from 'finger' (a hand digit) + 'cymbal' (a small metal plate that rings), so a learner who knows both words can infer a small cymbal used on the fingers. This follows a straightforward noun–noun compounding pattern common across languages and is not idiomatic or metaphorical.

Etymology

Finger cymbals come from small metal cymbals worn on the finger and tapped together to make a bright, tinkling sound in dance. That's why 'finger cymbals' means the tiny hand instruments dancers use to add rhythm and sparkle to a performance.