1
Stage 1 of 4
rabab
Arabic · medieval
"bowed stringed instrument"
named a bowed stringed instrument
2
Stage 2 of 4
ribabe
Old French · 1200s
"bowed instrument"
carried the instrument into medieval European music
3
Stage 3 of 4
rebec
Old French · 1400s
"pear-shaped bowed instrument"
reshaped, perhaps influenced by "bec" (beak), for the instrument's pointed shape
4
Stage 4 of 4
rebec
English · early 1400s
"medieval bowed stringed instrument"
entered English for the small medieval three-stringed fiddle
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