Also (7 castannetta, castanieta, castinetta), 7–8 castagnet, 9 castinet, (castagnette). [ad. Sp. castañeta (or its Fr. adaptation castagnette), dim. of castaña:—L. castanea chestnut. See quot. 1647.]
An instrument consisting of a small concave shell of ivory or hard wood, used by the Spaniards, Moors, and others, to produce a rattling sound as an accompaniment to dancing; a pair of them, fastened to the thumb, are held in the palm of the hand, and struck with the middle finger.
1647. R. Stapylton, Juvenal, 220. Castinetta’s] knackers, of the form of Chesnuts used to this day by the Spaniards in their dances.
1648. Gage, West Ind., xi. (1655), 37. Capering and dancing with their Castannettas, or knockers on their fingers.
1665. Dryden, Indian Emp., IV. iii. (1667), 45. Two Spaniards arise and Dance a Saraband with Castanieta’s.
1697. C’tess. D’Aunoy’s Trav. (1706), 21. They play admirable well on the Castagnets.
1700. Congreve, Way of World, IV. i. They had gone together by the ears like a pair of castanets.
a. 1754. Fielding, Pleas. of Town, Wks. 1775, I. 214. A Blackamore lady, who comes to present you with a Saraband and castanets.
1783. Ainsworth, Lat. Dict. (Morell), II. s.v. Testa, Like the Spanish castagnets.
1828. Moore, Maltese Air, i. Gaily sounds the castanet, Beating time to bounding feet.
1832. W. Irving, Alhambra, I. 181. The tinkling of innumerable guitars, and the clicking of castañets.
1843. Lever, J. Hinton, liii. The chink of the castanet and the proud step of the fandago echoed around us.
1850. Leitch, Müller’s Anc. Art, § 425, note. A young maiden dancing in light dress with castagnettes.
