Spinet \Spin"et\, n. [OF. espinete, F. ['e]pinette (cf. It.
spinetta), fr. L. spina a thorn; -- so called because its
quills resemble thorns. See Spine.]
(Mus.)
A keyed instrument of music resembling a harpsichord, but
smaller, with one string of brass or steel wire to each note,
sounded by means of leather or quill plectrums or jacks. It
was formerly much used.
Dumb spinet. (Mus.) See Manichordon.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
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