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Definition of temple block
a : a percussion instrument used in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies consisting of a hollow, slotted, ornately carved wooden block that is struck with a beater
b : a related instrument either bulbous or boxlike in shape used in sets in Western classical and popular music
—usually used in plural
— called also Chinese block, Chinese temple block
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Time Traveler for temple block
The first known use of temple block was in 1924
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