harpsichord

Where does the word "harpsichord" come from? It comes from Medieval Latin harpa, passing through Italian before entering English (1600s).

Harpsichord’s story begins in Medieval Latin: harpa meant “harp.” Harp, combined with chorda (string) for the plucked-string keyboard instrument. By 1500s, the word had taken hold in Italian as arpicordo. Formed from harpa and corda (string) for the plucked-string keyboard instrument. It reached English by 1600s as harpsichord. Settled as the English word for the keyboard instrument with plucked strings. Today, harpsichord means a keyboard instrument whose strings are plucked, a precursor to the piano.

1. Stage 1 · Medieval Latin · medieval harpa "harp", harp, combined with chorda (string) for the plucked-string keyboard instrument.
2. Stage 2 · Italian · 1500s arpicordo "the plucked-string keyboard instrument", formed from harpa and corda (string) for the plucked-string keyboard instrument.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1600s harpsichord "a keyboard instrument with plucked strings", settled as the English word for the keyboard instrument with plucked strings.