Clarion

/ˈklæ.ɹɪ.ən/ · noun

Meaning

(music, historical or poetic) A medieval brass instrument chiefly used as a battle signal; related to the trumpet, it had a narrow, straight pipe and a high-pitched, piercing sound..

Definitions by Sense

1. (music, historical or poetic) A medieval brass instrument chiefly used as a battle signal; related to the trumpet, it had a narrow, straight pipe and a high-pitched, piercing sound.
2. The sound of a clarion (sense 1), or any sound resembling the loud, high-pitched note of a clarion.
3. An organ stop consisting of pipes with reeds giving a high-pitched note like that of a clarion (sense 1).
4. The middle register of the clarinet.
5. (heraldry) A charge thought to represent a type of wind instrument, a keyboard instrument like a spinet, or perhaps a rest used by a knight to support a lance during jousting.
6. Of a sound, a voice, a message, etc.: brilliantly clear.
7. To announce or herald (something) using a clarion (noun sense 1).
8. Of a thing: to cause (a place) to echo with a sound like that of a clarion.

Example Sentences

The clarion’s call to action has been heard.

Then ſtrait commands that at the warlike ſound / Of Trumpets loud and Clarions be upreard / His mighty Standard; […]

And like a silver clarion rung / The accents of that unknown tongue, / Excelsior!

There is no bard in all the choir, / Nor Homer's self, the poet sire, / […] / Nor Collins' verse of tender pain, / Nor Byron's clarion of disdain, / […] / Not one of all can put in verse, / Or to this presence could rehearse, / The sights and voices ravishing / The boy knew on the hills in spring, […]

Blind me, take away mine eyes, and let the darkness utterly fence me in, and still mine ears would catch the tone of thy unforgotten voice, striking more loud against the portals of my sense than can the call of brazen-throated clarions:– […]

Others [i.e., other birds] on ground / Walk'd firm; the creſted Cock whoſe clarion ſounds / The ſilent hours, and th' other whoſe gay Traine / Adorns him, colour'd with the Florid hue / Of Rainbows and Starrie Eyes.

And his this Drum, vvhoſe hoarſe heroic baſe / Drovvns the loud Clarion of the braying Aſs.

The cock's ſhrill clarion, or the ecchoing horn, / No more ſhall rouſe them from their lovvly bed.

Synonyms for clarion

Antonyms for clarion

Related Words

Word Forms

• clarions
• clarioning
• clarioned

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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