ENGLISH DICTIONARY

Carnyx

Definition, Meaning & Examples

Pronunciation /ˈkɑːnɪks/ · Part of speech noun

Quick meaning: Carnyx is a noun meaning (music, historical) A bronze wind instrument used by Iron Age Celts (c. 200 B.C.E. – 200 C.E.) as a type of battle trumpet; held vertically when played, it was shaped like an elongated S with a mouthpiece at the lower end and a bell (often resembling an animal with an open mouth) at the upper end.

Meaning

(music, historical) A bronze wind instrument used by Iron Age Celts (c. 200 B.C.E. – 200 C.E.) as a type of battle trumpet; held vertically when played, it was shaped like an elongated S with a mouthpiece at the lower end and a bell (often resembling an animal with an open mouth) at the upper end.

Example Sentences

A number of Greek and Roman writers described warrior tribes in Britain, Gaul and elsewhere sounding carnyces to terrify their enemies. […] The newly discovered carnyx shows signs of repair, said Hinman, indicating it was in use over a long period.

Word Forms

Related Words

Related dictionary entries include carnix, clarion, cornett, carn, cornetcy, cornet.

Related Dictionary Tools

Sources & Attribution

FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0

Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.