Main Entry:

hur·dy–gur·dy

Pronunciation:

\ˌhər-dē-ˈgər-dē, ˈhər-dē-ˌ\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural hur·dy–gurdies

Etymology:

probably imitative

Date:

1749

1 : a stringed instrument in which sound is produced by the friction of a rosined wheel turned by a crank against the strings and the pitches are varied by keys 2 : any of various mechanical musical instruments (as the barrel organ)

[hurdy-gurdy illustration]