kettle-drum

A musician plays the kettle-drum in an orchestra.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A large, bowl-shaped drum with a parchment head: A "kettle-drum" is a type of drum consisting of a hemispherical metal bowl covered with a stretched membrane (the head). It is typically played with mallets and can be tuned to a specific pitch, often used in orchestras.
   • A large afternoon tea party (archaic or informal): In historical or British usage, "kettle-drum" can refer to a large, formal tea party held in the afternoon, though this meaning is now rare.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The kettle-drum produced a deep, resonant sound during the symphony. (A musical instrument used in orchestral percussion.)
  • She hosted a kettle-drum for her friends every Sunday afternoon. (A large tea party, now an old-fashioned usage.)

Advanced Usage

• "to beat the kettle-drum": To play the kettle-drum, especially in a military or ceremonial context.

  • The soldiers beat the kettle-drum to signal the start of the parade. (They played the drum to announce an event.)

• "kettle-drum" as a verb (rare, non-standard): To play a kettle-drum.

  • He kettle-drummed with great skill during the concert. (He performed on the kettle-drum.)

Variants and Related Words

• Kettledrum (n): An alternative spelling (without the hyphen) of "kettle-drum", meaning the same drum.

  • The kettledrum is also known as a timpani in classical music.

• Kettle-drummer (n): A person who plays the kettle-drum.

  • The kettle-drummer tuned the instrument carefully before the performance.

Synonyms

• Timpani: The plural form of "kettle-drum", used to refer to a set of two or more such drums in an orchestra.
• Drum: A general term for a percussion instrument, but "kettle-drum" specifies the bowl-shaped type.

Related Idioms

• "to sound like a kettle-drum": To produce a loud, booming noise.

  • His voice sounded like a kettle-drum in the small room. (His voice was very loud and resonant.)

• "kettle-drum of war": A metaphorical phrase meaning the call to battle or conflict.

  • The speech was a kettle-drum of war, urging the nation to fight. (It was a strong, rallying call.)