hurdy-gurdy

Probably onomatopoeic in imitation of the sound produced by the stringed instrument.[1] Compare obsolete hirdy-girdy (“an uproar; noise”).[2] Attested from the 1740s.[1][2]

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /ˈhɜː.diˌɡɜː.di/, /ˌhɜː.diˈɡɜː.di/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈhɝː.diˌɡɝː.di/, /ˌhɝː.diˈɡɝː.di/

• Audio (US)

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  Audio (US)

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hurdy-gurdy (not comparable)

1. (humorous) Sounding like the Swedish language.

hurdy-gurdy (plural hurdy-gurdies)

1. (music) A stringed instrument that produces a droning sound by turning a handle that connects to a wheel that rubs against a rosined string, with a keyboard also used to alter the pitch of the string.
2. (music) Synonym of street organ, often considered a misnomer.
   • 1956 [1880], Johanna Spyri, Heidi, translation of original by Eileen Hall, page 83:

     He flung open the door, and found there only a ragged boy with a hurdy-gurdy on his back.

3. (US, California) A water wheel with radial buckets, driven by the impact of a jet.
4. (fishing, sailing) A winch, a windlass.
   • 2009, Keith McLaren, A Race for Real Sailors‎, page 20:

     A pair of oars, a small mast and sail, pen boards to contain the fish, a bailer, a water jar, a bait knife, a compass, a small wooden winch called a hurdy gurdy, a fish gaff, and the tubs, trawls, floats, and anchors used to set gear was all that was required to equip it.

• (stringed instrument): wheel fiddle

• hurdy-gurdyist

• Appendix:Glossary of chordophones
• viellist (one who plays a hurdy-gurdy)