hurdy-gurdy

Etymology

Possibly onomatopoeia in imitation of the sound produced by the stringed instrument.

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈhɜː.diˌɡɜː.di/, /ˌhɜː.diˈɡɜː.di/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈhɝː.diˌɡɝː.di/, /ˌhɝː.diˈɡɝː.di/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

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  Audio (US)

  (file)

Adjective

hurdy-gurdy (not comparable)

1. (humorous) Sounding like the Swedish language.

Noun

hurdy-gurdy (plural hurdy-gurdies)

1. (music) A stringed instrument that produces a droning sound by turning a handle that connects to a wheel that rubs against a rosined string, with a keyboard also used to alter the pitch of the string.
2. (music) Synonym of street organ
3. (US, California) A water wheel with radial buckets, driven by the impact of a jet.