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Webster 1913 Edition
Kettledrum
Ket′tle-drumˊ
(-drŭmˊ)
, Noun.
1.
(Mus.)
A drum made of thin copper in the form of a hemispherical kettle, with parchment stretched over the mouth of it.
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Kettledrums
, in pairs, were formerly used in martial music for cavalry, but are now chiefly confined to orchestras, where they are called tympani
. 2.
An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening. Cf. , 4 and 5.
Drum
, Noun.