quword 趣词
Word Origins Dictionary
- castanet
- castanet: [17] Castanets were originally named in Spanish from their resemblance to the shells of chestnuts, Spanish castañeta being a diminutive form of castaña ‘chestnut’, from Latin castanea (itself the ultimate source of English chestnut). Another name for them in 17th-century English was knackers: ‘Castinettas: knackers of the form of chestnuts, used to this day by the Spaniards in their dances’, Robert Stapylton, Juvenal’s sixteen satires 1647.
=> chestnut - castanet (n.)
- usually castanets, 1640s, from French castagnette or directly from Spanish castañeta diminutive of castaña "chestnut," from Latin castanea (see chestnut).
- castanets
- "Small concave pieces of wood, ivory, or plastic, joined in pairs by a cord and clicked together by the fingers as a rhythmic accompaniment to Spanish dancing", Early 17th century: from Spanish castañeta, diminutive of castaña, from Latin castanea 'chestnut'.