Main Entry: re·bec

Variant(s): or re·beck \ˈrē-ˌbek, ˈre-(ˌ)bek\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English rebecke, from Middle French rebec, alteration of Old French rebebe, from Old Occitan rebeb, from Arabic rabāb

Date: 15th century

: an ancient bowed usually 3-stringed musical instrument with a pear-shaped body and slender neck

[rebec illustration]