hautboy

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

noun a slender double-reed instrument; a woodwind with a conical bore and a double-reed mouthpiece

From Middle French hautbois. Doublet of oboe and hautbois.

Then it became a little louder, and sounded like a flute or a distant hautboy. — The Picture of Dorian Gray, Oscar Wilde
In the Western gallery, three fiddles, two hautboys, and a bass viol squeaked and groaned with much fervour. — The Passionate Elopement, Compton MacKenzie
I was at their church, where I was entertain'd with good musick, the organ being accompanied with violins, hautboys, flutes, clarinets, etc. — Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin, Benjamin Franklin

oboe, hautbois

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