Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Sistrum
‖
Sis′trum
,[L., fr. Gr. [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK], from [GREEK][GREEK][GREEK] to shake.]
(Mus.)
An instrument consisting of a thin metal frame, through which passed a number of metal rods, and furnished with a handle by which it was shaken and made to rattle. It was peculiarly Egyptian, and used especially in the worship of Isis. It is still used in Nubia.
Definition 2024
sistrum
sistrum
English
A Roman sistrum
Noun
sistrum (plural sistrums or sistra)
- An ancient Egyptian musical instrument, to be shaken, consisting of a metal frame holding percussive metal beads.
- 1983, Norman Mailer, Ancient Evenings:
- She moved with slow undulations of her body as lascivious as the curve of Hathfertiti’s hair, and the sistrum with its singing wires was played by a dwarf wearing nothing but a gold purse and a few bracelets on his stunted biceps.
- 1983, Norman Mailer, Ancient Evenings:
Translations
instrument
See also
Anagrams
Latin
Etymology
From Ancient Greek σείστρον (seístron), from σείω (seíō, “shake”).
Pronunciation
- (Classical) IPA(key): /ˈsiːs.trum/, [ˈsiːs.trũ]
Noun
sīstrum n (genitive sīstrī); second declension
Inflection
Second declension.
| Case | Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | sīstrum | sīstra |
| genitive | sīstrī | sīstrōrum |
| dative | sīstrō | sīstrīs |
| accusative | sīstrum | sīstra |
| ablative | sīstrō | sīstrīs |
| vocative | sīstrum | sīstra |
Descendants
- English: sistrum
- French: sistre
References
- sistrum in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
- sistrum in Charlton T. Lewis (1891) An Elementary Latin Dictionary, New York: Harper & Brothers
- Félix Gaffiot (1934), “sistrum”, in Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Paris: Hachette.
- sistrum in Harry Thurston Peck, editor (1898) Harper's Dictionary of Classical Antiquities, New York: Harper & Brothers
- sistrum in William Smith et al., editor (1890) A Dictionary of Greek and Roman Antiquities, London: William Wayte. G. E. Marindin