clef
English edit
Alternative forms edit
Etymology edit
Borrowed from Middle French clef, from Latin clāvis (“a key”).
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
clef (plural clefs)
- A symbol found on a musical staff that indicates the pitches represented by the lines and the spaces on the staff [from 16th c.]
Derived terms edit
Derived terms
Related terms edit
Translations edit
musical symbol
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French edit
Etymology edit
See clé.
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
clef f (plural clefs)
- Alternative spelling of clé (“key”)
- (music) clef
- (heraldry) key; the device as shown on a coat of arms
Derived terms edit
Further reading edit
- “clef”, in Trésor de la langue française informatisé [Digitized Treasury of the French Language], 2012.
Middle French edit
Etymology edit
From Old French clef.
Noun edit
clef f (plural clefs)
Adjective edit
clef m or f (invariable)
- key (vitally important)
Descendants edit
Old French edit
Etymology edit
Pronunciation edit
Noun edit
clef oblique singular, f (oblique plural cles, nominative singular clef, nominative plural cles)