: an ancient bowed usually 3-stringed musical instrument with a pear-shaped body and slender neck
Illustration of rebec
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebTyler researched instruments that immigrants brought from all over the world, using the rebec, hurdy-gurdy, chitarrone, accordion and fiddle, as well as Native American flutes and drums, to evoke a sense of history.—Shannon L. Bowen, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 June 2019
These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rebec.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Word History
Etymology
Middle English rebecke, from Middle French rebec, alteration of Old French rebebe, from Old Occitan rebeb, from Arabic rabāb
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