LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
noun · neutersecond declension

cymbalum

cymbalum n (genitive cymbalī)
Classical[ˈkym.ba.ɫũː]Ecclesiastical[ˈt͡ʃim.ba.lum]

Meaning

  1. neutercymbal
  2. genitiveneuterpluralpoeticgenitive plural of cymbalum
    c. 84 BCE – 54 BCE, Catullus, Carmina 63.21

Declension

declension
formsingularplural
nominativecymbalumcymbala
genitivecymbalīcymbalōrum
dativecymbalōcymbalīs
accusativecymbalumcymbala
ablativecymbalōcymbalīs
vocativecymbalumcymbala

cymbălum, i, n. (
I. gen. plur. cymbalum, Cat. 63, 21), = κύμβαλον, a cymbal.
I. Prop., an instrument consisting of two hollow plates of brass, which emit a ringing sound when struck together. They were used in the festivals of Cybele and Bacchus, and on other festive occasions; also to hinder the flight of bees, etc. (usu. in plur.), Lucr. 2, 619; Cat. 63, 21; 63, 29; Ov. F. 4, 213; Verg. G. 4, 64; Liv. 39, 8; Cic. Pis. 9, 20 sq.; Plin. 5, 1, 1, § 7; Quint. 11, 3, 59; Plin. Ep. 2, 14, 13.—
B. Transf., in hydraulics, a sounding basin of similar form, a bell, Vitr. 10, 8, 5.—
II. Trop.: Apion Grammaticus, hic quem Tiberius Caesar cymbalum mundi vocabat, i. e. as making the world ring with his ostentatious disputations, Plin. H. N. praef. § 25; cf. Verg. Cat. 7, 5 Wagn.; App. Orth. § 8 p. 129 Mai.

Origins

From Ancient Greek κύμβαλον (kúmbalon), from κύμβη (kúmbē, “bowl”).

Elsewhere
  • Catalancímbal
  • Italiancembalo
  • Italiancimbalo
  • Frenchcymbalefrom Old French chimbe
  • Englishchimefrom Old English cymbal
  • Englishcymbalfrom Old English cymbal
  • Portuguesecímbalo
  • Romaniancimbal
  • Spanishcímbalo
  • Catalancimbellfrom Vulgar Latin *cimbellum
Serbo-Croatian
  • Cyrillic scriptцимбало
  • Cyrillic scriptцимбал
  • Romancimbalo
  • Romancimbal

In English words that came into English from cymbalum

  • chimecymbalum
  • cymbalcymbalum
  • clavicymbalclāvicymbalum

In the Academy Smith's classical dictionaries

AntiquitiesCymbalumCymbalum (κύμβαλον), a musical instrument consisting of two half globes, which were held one in each hand by the performer and played by being struck …

Quick answers

What does cymbalum mean in Latin?
cymbalum, a noun, means “cymbal; genitive plural of cymbalum”.
What is the genitive of cymbalum?
The genitive singular is cymbalī. cymbalum is neuter, second declension.
How do you pronounce cymbalum?
In classical Latin, [ˈkym.ba.ɫũː]; in ecclesiastical (church) Latin, [ˈt͡ʃim.ba.lum].
Which English words come from cymbalum?
English words that go back to Latin cymbalum include chime, cymbal and clavicymbal.