chalumeau

English

Etymology

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

• IPA^(key): /ˌʃælʊˈməʊ/

Noun

chalumeau (plural chalumeaus or chalumeaux)

1. (music) A woodwind instrument which was the predecessor of the clarinet.
2. The lowest range of the clarinet, reaching up to written B♭ (B flat) above middle C.

Translations

woodwind instrument preceding the clarinet

• French: chalumeau (fr) m
• Italian: salmoè m

French

Etymology

Inherited from Old French chalemel, from Late Latin calamellus, diminutive of Latin calamus (“reed”), from Ancient Greek κάλαμος (kálamos, “reed”). Doublet of caramel.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ʃa.ly.mo/

• Audio:

  (file)

Noun

chalumeau m (plural chalumeaux)

1. oxy-fuel torch (usually oxy-acetylene; used for cutting, welding, etc.)
2. (music) chalumeau
3. (perhaps dated) drinking straw

Related terms

• chaume

Descendants

• → English: chalumeau
• → North Levantine Arabic: شلمونة (šalimōne)
• → Turkish: şalümo

Further reading

• “chalumeau”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.