sistrum – מילון אנגלי-אנגלי
Sistrum
A
sistrum (plural:
sistrums or Latin
sistra; from the
Greek seistron of the same meaning; literally "that which is being shaken", from
seiein, "to shake") is a
musical instrument of the
percussion family, chiefly associated with ancient
Iraq and
Egypt. It consists of a handle and a U-shaped metal frame, made of brass or bronze and between 30 and 76 cm in width. When shaken the small rings or loops of thin metal on its movable crossbars produce a sound that can be from a soft clank to a loud jangling. Its name in the ancient
Egyptian language was sekhem
(sḫm) and sesheshet
(sššt). Sekhem is the simpler, hoop-like sistrum, while sesheshet (an
onomatopoeic word) is the
naos-shaped one.
Sistrum
An instrument consisting of a thin metal frame, through which passed a number of metal rods, and furnished with a handle by which it was shaken and made to rattle. It was peculiarly Egyptian, and used especially in the worship of Isis. It is still used in Nubia.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), edited by Noah Porter.
About
Sistrum
Sistrum (Latin) [from Greek seistron from seiein to shake] The instrument used by the ancient Egyptians in the worship of Isis; a metallic oval hoop with a handle, and loose metal rods, running through holes in the sides of the metal and across the loop. This was held in the hand and shaken, its real purpose being, by means of its combination of metals, to produce magnetic currents and sounds. It is used to this day in Christian Abyssinia "to drive away devils"; likewise by the American Indians in their ceremonial dances.
sistrum
N
brazen/metal rattle used in the worship of Isis
SISTRUM
SISTRO
