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]