Tympanon
/ˈtɪm.pə.nɒn/noun
A frame drum or tambourine-like percussion instrument, especially in ancient Greek contexts.
Did you know?Tympanon comes from Greek τύμπανον, a word tied to beating and striking, and its root also gave English words for the eardrum, because both are literally membrane-like things that vibrate.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*temp-
“to beat, strike”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τύπτω (typtō)
“I strike, hit”
Ancient Greek
Greek
τύμπανον (tympanon)
“a drum, tambourine, or frame drum”
Latin
Latin
tympanum
“a drum, tambourine; also a wheel-like or rounded part”
Middle French / Medieval Latin
MF/ML
tympan
“a drum; later a panel or membrane-like part”
Modern English
English
tympanon
“a frame drum or ancient Greek tambourine-like instrument”