Dictionary

rebec en · NOUN

Pronunciation

• /ˈɹiːbɛk/ (UK)
• /ˈɹɛbɛk/ (UK)

Etymology

From Middle French rebec, alteration of rubebe (see English ribibe), from Arabic رَبَاب (rabāb).

Meanings

1. An early three-stringed instrument, somewhat like a simple violin only pear shaped, played with a bow and used in Medieval and the early Renaissance eras.
   • The villages also must have their visitors to enquire what lectures the bagpipe and the rebbeck reads ev'n to the ballatry, and the gammuth of every municipal fidler, for these are the Countrymans Arcadia's and his Monte Mayors. 1644, John Milton, Areopagitica:
   • Sometimes with secure delight The upland hamlets will invite, When the merry bells ring round, And the jocund rebecks sound To many a youth, and many a maid, Dancing in the chequer'd shade [...] 1645, John Milton, L'Allegro:

Forms

Deriveds

rebecist

Relateds

rebab · ribibe · ribible

Translations (10)

gl rabel (stringed instrument) · cs rebec (stringed instrument) · fi rebec (stringed instrument) · bg ребека (stringed instrument) · pl rebec (stringed instrument) · ca rabec (stringed instrument) · mr रेबेक (stringed instrument) · es rabel (stringed instrument) · it ribeca (stringed instrument) · pt rabeca (stringed instrument)