drum

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a musical percussion instrument; usually consists of a hollow cylinder with a membrane stretched across each end
  2. noun the sound of a drum
  3. noun a bulging cylindrical shape; hollow with flat ends

Etymology

Perhaps back-formation from drumslade (“drummer”), from Middle Dutch trommelslach (“drumbeat”), from trommel (“drum”) + slach (“beat”) (Dutch slag). Or perhaps borrowed directly from a continental Germanic language; compare Middle Dutch tromme (“drum”), Middle Low German trumme (“drum”) et al. Compare also Middle High German trumme, trumbe (“drum”), Old High German trumba (“trumpet”).

In classic literature

Synonyms

membranophone, tympan

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