mbira

English

Etymology

From Shona mbira (“thumb piano”).

Noun

mbira (plural mbiras)

1. (music) A thumb piano, a musical instrument having a small sound box fitted with a row of tuned tabs that are plucked with the thumbs, originating among the Shona of southern Africa; any type of plucked lamellophone of the same type as the Shona instrument.

Synonyms

• sanza
• thumb piano or finger piano

Hyponyms

• kalimba
• likembe
• marimba

Derived terms

• array mbira

References

• 2003. "Mbira (Thumb Piano)". Continuum Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Edited by John Shepherd. Pg. 388.

Anagrams

• MBARI, abrim, imbar, mbari

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Chichewa

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ˈᵐbí.ɽa/

Noun

mbíra class 9 (plural mbíra class 10)

1. rock hyrax

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Lindu

Noun

mbira

1. part; section

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Shona

Noun

1. rock hyrax

Noun

1. thumb piano; mbira