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Dictionary

Words, grammatical forms and meanings linked to the ontology.

mbira en · NOUN

Etymology

Borrowed from Shona mbira (“thumb piano”).

Meanings

  1. A thumb piano, a musical instrument having a small sound box fitted with a row of tuned tabs that are plucked with the thumbs, originating among the Shona of southern Africa; any type of plucked lamellophone of the same type as the Shona instrument.
    • “All right, let's hear that mbira strut its stuff.” (note plays) “Stop. No. I hate it.” “We should light the studio on fire, man. Record that!” “That's why you're my idea man, Delmonaco. You're not a coward like a certain someone!” 2019 April 8, Brett Cawley & Robert Maitia, “The Future Is Borax” (11:42 from the start), in American Dad!, season 15, episode 22, spoken by Roger (Seth MacFarlane):

Forms

SpellingFeaturesLabelsSource
mbiras Number=Plur lexicographic

Deriveds

array mbira

Hyponyms

likembe · marimba · kalimba

Synonyms

finger piano · sanza · thumb piano