chalumeau
English edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from French chalumeau, from Late Latin calamellus, diminutive of Latin calamus (“reed”), from Ancient Greek κάλαμος (kálamos, “reed”). Doublet of shawm and probably caramel.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
chalumeau (plural chalumeaus or chalumeaux)
- (music) A woodwind instrument which was the predecessor of the clarinet.
- The lowest range of the clarinet, reaching up to written B♭ (B flat) above middle C.
Translations edit
French edit
Etymology edit
Inherited from Old French chalemel, from Late Latin calamellus, diminutive of Latin calamus (“reed”), from Ancient Greek κάλαμος (kálamos, “reed”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
chalumeau m (plural chalumeaux)
- oxy-fuel torch (usually oxy-acetylene; used for cutting, welding, etc.)
- (music) chalumeau
- (perhaps dated) drinking straw
Related terms edit
Descendants edit
Further reading edit
- “chalumeau”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.