Theorbo THEOR'BO, n. A musical instrument made like a large lute,
except that it has two necks or juga, the second and longer of which
sustains the four last rows of chords, which are to give the deepest
sounds. The theorbo has eight base or thick strings twice as long as those
of the lute, which excess of length renders the sound exceedingly soft,
and continues it a great length of time.
theorbo noun (plural-bos)
Etymology: modification of Italian tiorba, teorbaDate:
1605
a stringed instrument of the 17th century resembling a large lute but
having an extra set of long bass strings
theorbo n. (pl. -os) a two-necked musical instrument of the lute class much used in the seventeenth century. Derivatives: theorbist n. Etymology: It. tiorba, of unkn. orig.
theorbo
θɪˈɔ:bəu n. (pl. -os) a two-necked musical instrument of the lute
class much used in the seventeenth century. øøtheorbist n. [It. tiorba,
of unkn. orig.]
Theorbo \The*or"bo\, n. [F. th['e]orbe, t['e]orbe, formerly
tuorbe, tiorbe, It. tiorba.] (Mus.)
An instrument made like large lute, but having two necks,
with two sets of pegs, the lower set holding the strings
governed by frets, while to the upper set were attached the
long bass strings used as open notes.
Note: A larger form of theorbo was also called the
archlute, and was used chiefly, if not only, as an
accompaniment to the voice. Both have long fallen into
disuse.
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