sistrum

English - English

Definition of sistrum in English English dictionary

An ancient Egyptian musical instrument, to be shaken, consisting of a metal frame holding percussive metal beads

She moved with slow undulations of her body as lascivious as the curve of Hathfertiti’s hair, and the sistrum with its singing wires was played by a dwarf wearing nothing but a gold purse and a few bracelets on his stunted biceps.

It is still used in Nubia

Oval frame with handle in which are loosely placed metal crossbars which jingle upon being shaken On the bars are sometimes strung small bells While of ancient Middle Eastern origin, the sistrum came to be chiefly associated with the worship of the Egyptian goddess Isis

An instrument consisting of a thin metal frame, through which passed a number of metal rods, and furnished with a handle by which it was shaken and made to rattle

It was peculiarly Egyptian, and used especially in the worship of Isis

A musical rattle with discs threaded onto bars across a fork They were often used by women involved with temples, particularly in association with the goddess Hathor

a musical instrument producing a jangling sound, used by queens and priestesses in religious ceremonies to please the goddess Hathor and other deities

a sacred rattle consisting either of a metal hoop with crossbars to which metal disks are attached or of a rectangular centerpiece in the shape of a small temple gate with two metal bands at each side

Hyphenation

sis·trum

Etymology

() From Latin sistrum, from Ancient Greek σείστρον, from σείω (“shake”).