KETTLEDRUM

kettle, kettledrum, tympanum, tympani, timpani

(noun) a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension on it

Source: WordNet® 3.1

Etymology

Noun

kettledrum (plural kettledrums)

(musical instruments) A large hemispherical brass percussion instrument (one of the timpani) with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting its tension.

(dated) An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening.

Synonyms

• timpanum

Source: Wiktionary

Ket"tle*drum`, n.

1. (Mus.)

Definition: A drum made of thin copper in the form of a hemispherical kettle, with parchment stretched over the mouth of it.

Note: Kettledrums, in pairs, were formerly used in martial music for cavalry, but are now chiefly confined to orchestras, where they are called tympani.

2. An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening. Cf. Drum, n., 4 and 5.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition