Forms: 7 flajolet, flageollet, -eret, flagolet, 7–9 flagelet, -llet, (8 flagelate), 7– flageolet. [a. Fr. flageolet, dim. of OF. flajol: see FLAGEL sb.1]
1. A small wind instrument, having a mouthpiece at one end, six principal holes, and sometimes keys.
1659. Leak, Water-wks., 27. An Engin by which Galata shall be presented, which shall be drawn upon the Water by two Dolphins, going in a right line and returning of her self, while a Cyclope plaies upon a Flajolet.
1711. Addison, Spect., No. 5, 6 March, ¶ 3. The Musick proceeded from a Consort of Flagelets and Bird-calls which was planted behind the Scenes.
1788. Cowper, Death Bullfinch, 19.
| And, though by nature mute, | |
| Or only with a whistle blest | |
| Well taught he all the sounds express’d | |
| Of flagelet or flute. |
1840. Dickens, Old C. Shop, xix. Vagabond groups assembled round the doors to see the stroller woman dance, and add their uproar to the shrill flageolet and deafening drum.
transf. 1662. Tatham, Aqua Tri., 11.
| (Though rudely) tunes of Joy in different Setts, | |
| Only to shew they [the winds] were Joves Flagerets. |
† 2. A player on the flageolet. Obs.
1676. Etheredge, Man of Mode, III. iii. Bell. That’s one of the walking Flajolets who haunt the Mail o’Nights.
3. A stop in an organ having a tone similar to that of the flageolet.
1852. Seidel, Organ, 97. Flageolet…. Its tone is fresh or penetrating, and imitates the tone of the instrument bearing the same name.
4. attrib., as flageolet-master; -tone (see quot.).
1667. Pepys, Diary, 1 March. I find Greeting, the flageolet-master, come, and teaching my wife; and I do think my wife will take pleasure in it, and it will be easy for her, and pleasant.
1888. Stainer & Barrett, Dict. Mus. Terms, Flageolet tones, the natural harmonics of stringed instruments, so called from their pure flute-like quality of tone.
