Obs. [app. f. Gr. τέρπ-ειν to delight + ᾠδή song: cf. melodion, etc.] Name given to a musical instrument, invented in 1816 and improved in 1832, but never actually in use.
1834. Mus. Libr., Suppl., Sept., 69. A concert has been given here by Prof. Buschmann and his son, both playing on the terpodion invented by the father.
1842. Mech. Mag., XXXVII. 563. Nearly allied to the instrument consisting of tuning forks is the terpodion [pr. -ian], but the vibrating springs instead of being in the form of forks are cylindrical rods of metal.
1898. Stainer & Barrett, Dict. Mus. Terms, Terpodion, an instrument … resembling in appearance the pianoforte, but the tone was produced from blocks of wood struck with hammers.
