castanet

[ kas-tuh-net ]

/ ˌkæs təˈnɛt /

either of a pair of concave pieces of wood held in the palm of the hand and clicked together, usually to accompany dancing.

Origin of castanet

1640–50; < Spanish castañeta, equivalent to castañ(a) chestnut (< Latin castanea) + -eta diminutive suffix; see -et, -ette

One hundred inferior maxillaries began to castanet away like mad.

H. R. |Edwin Lefevre
My teeth were actually chattering in my head, with a castanet accompaniment to my discomfort.

Buckskin Mose |Buckskin Mose
That vulgar girl is singing the castanet song in the second act at this moment.

The Law and the Lady |Wilkie Collins
He shook the door by the iron handle until the latch clattered like a castanet: there was no sound from within.

Bulldog Carney |W. A. Fraser

Where the two were missing he carried the stem of his pipe, and when he talked the stem clicked, like a Castanet.

The Courage of Marge O'Doone |James Oliver Curwood