Crumhorn
/ˈkrʌm.hɔːrn/noun
A Renaissance wind instrument with a curved body and a double reed, producing a buzzing sound.
Did you know?The crumhorn’s name comes from German *Krummhorn*, and its eerie, reedy tone made it one of the most otherworldly instruments of the Renaissance court.
Etymological Timeline
Old High German
OHG
krump
“crooked, bent”
Old High German
OHG
horn
“horn; projecting, horn-shaped object”
Middle High German
MHG
krum(h)orn
“crooked horn”
16th Century
German/English
Krummhorn / crumhorn
“A curved reed instrument with a capped double reed”
Modern English
English
crumhorn
“A Renaissance wind instrument with a curved body and a double reed”