Mus. [a. It. bombardone, augmentative form of bombardo.] A brass instrument of the trumpet-kind, in tone resembling an ophicleide; also a bass reed-stop on the organ.
1856. Mrs. C. Clarke, trans. Berlioz’ Instrument., 176/1. The Bombardon … is a low instrument, without keys, and with three cylinders.
1876. Hiles, Catech. Organ, x. (1878), 71. Bombardone, Bombardon, Bombarde, a reed-stop of metal or wood.
1880. Grove, Dict. Mus., I. 259. Bombardon, bombard … were originally names of the different varieties of the oboe or bassoon family; the bombardon, or largest instrument, reaching to contra F. From these the name was transferred to a bass reed-stop on the organ, with 6-foot tone.
