chiavetta

noun

chia·​vet·​ta
kyəˈvetə,
kyäˈ-
plural chiavette
-etē
: a clef (as one of the C clefs) formerly used to shift temporarily the pitch range of a staff carrying a voice part and so avoid the use of ledger lines

Word History

Etymology

Italian, diminutive of chiave key, clef, from Latin clavis key

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Cite this Entry

“Chiavetta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/chiavetta. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

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