Dictionary Definition
timbrel n : small hand drum similar to a
tambourine; formerly carried by itinerant jugglers
User Contributed Dictionary
Extensive Definition
Timbrel or tabret (the tof of the ancient
Hebrews,
the deff of Islam, the adufe of
the Moors of Spain), the principal
musical instrument of percussion of the Israelites,
identical with the modern tambourine. The word timbrel
is used in the Old
Testament in both singular and plural form, so as to suggest
that the former referred to a hoop of wood or metal over which was
stretched a parchment head; while the plural was perhaps used to
designate the tambourine with bells or jangles fixed at intervals
in hoops. The Israelites learned to use the timbrel during their
sojourn in Egypt, and it has
been suggested that as the Egyptians used it to scare away their
evil spirit Typhon, the word tof is derived from the latter. The
tabret or timbrel was a favorite instrument of the women, and was
used with dances, as by Miriam, to accompany
songs of victory, or with the harp at banquets and processions; it was
one of the instruments used by King David and
his musicians when he danced before the Ark
of the Covenant. It was also used in the valley of Hinnom at the
sacrificial rites.
Europe was introduced to the Timbrel during the
crusades. The English adopted the name tambourine for the
instrument. A painting from Persia circa
1256, depicts
a round, hand-held frame drum
with jingles attached around the frame. A 1431-1438 Italian bas-relief
sculpture by Luca
della Robbia shows the same instrument, the jingles distinctly
being metal disks within holes around the frame.
References
- The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians, Second Edition, edited by Stanley Sadie, John Tyrrell and Laura Macy (2001)
- Musical Instruments, A Comprehensive Dictionary, by Sibyl Marcuse (1975)
- The World of Islam, Faith, People and Culture edited by Bernard Lewis (1976)