tambour

¹tam·bour

noun \ˈtam-ˌbu̇r, tam-ˈ\

Definition of TAMBOUR

1

: ¹drum 1

2

a : an embroidery frame; especially : a set of two interlocking hoops between which cloth is stretched before stitching

b : embroidery made on a tambour frame

3

: a shallow metallic cup or drum with a thin elastic membrane supporting a writing lever used to transmit and register slight motions (as arterial pulsations)

4

: a rolling top or front (as of a rolltop desk) of narrow strips of wood glued on canvas

Origin of TAMBOUR

Middle French, drum, from Arabic ṭanbūr, modification of Persian tabīr

First Known Use: 15th century

Other Music Terms

cacophony, chorister, concerto, counterpoint, madrigal, obbligato, presto, presto, refrain, riff, segue

Rhymes with TAMBOUR

abjure, adjure, Adour, allure, amour, Ashur, assure, brochure, ceinture, cocksure, coiffure, conjure, contour, couture, demure, detour, dirt-poor, endure, ensure, faubourg, for sure, Fraktur, grandeur, gravure, guipure, hachure, immure, impure, insure, inure, kultur, land-poor, langur, ligure, manure, mature, mohur, obscure, parure, perdure, procure, rondure, secure, siddur, tandoor, tenure, Uighur, unmoor, velour, velure

²tambour

verb

Definition of TAMBOUR

transitive verb

: to embroider (cloth) with tambour

intransitive verb

: to work at a tambour frame

— tam·bour·er noun

First Known Use of TAMBOUR

1774

Other Handicraft Terms

biscuit, darn, wrought

tam·bour

noun \ˈtam-ˌbu̇(ə)r, tam-ˈ\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of TAMBOUR

: a shallow metallic cup or drum with a thin elastic membrane supporting a writing lever used to transmit and register slight motions (as arterial pulsations and peristaltic contractions)