Sistrum
/ˈsɪs.trəm/noun
A ritual percussion instrument, especially one used in ancient Egyptian and Greco-Roman religious ceremonies.
Did you know?In ancient Egyptian and later Isis worship, the sistrum was believed to drive away hostile forces, making it both a musical instrument and a protective ritual object.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
seistron
“a rattle or thing that is shaken”
Late Latin
Latin
sistrum
“a rattle or sacred percussion instrument”
Middle Greek / Late Antiquity
Greek
sistron
“a ritual rattle used in worship”
14th–16th Century
English
sistrum
“an ancient ritual rattle, especially associated with Egypt and Isis”
Modern English
English
sistrum
“a ritual percussion instrument used in ancient religious contexts”