crotala

plural noun

cro·​ta·​la ˈkrō-tə-lə How to pronounce crotala (audio)
variants or less commonly krotala
: a percussion instrument of ancient Greece and Rome resembling a pair of clappers or castanets

called also crotal, crotalum

Word History

First Known Use

1683, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of crotala was in 1683

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Dictionary Entries Near crotala

Cite this Entry

“Crotala.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crotala. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

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