Etymology Map
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Glockenspiel

2 stages from German to English.

Today it means a percussion instrument of tuned metal bars

Where does the word "glockenspiel" come from? It comes from German Glockenspiel, adopted directly into English (1820s).

1
Stage 1 of 2
Glockenspiel
German · 1600s
"bell play"
'bell play', a set of bells; Mozart wrote a part for one in 'The Magic Flute' of 1791
2
Stage 2 of 2
glockenspiel
English · 1820s
"glockenspiel"
borrowed for the orchestral instrument
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Read the full story

Glockenspiel’s story begins in German: Glockenspiel meant “bell play.” 'bell play', a set of bells; Mozart wrote a part for one in 'The Magic Flute' of 1791. It reached English by 1820s as glockenspiel. Borrowed for the orchestral instrument. Today, glockenspiel means a percussion instrument of tuned metal bars.