Correct spelling for the English word "barbone" is [bˈɑːbə͡ʊn], [bˈɑːbəʊn], [b_ˈɑː_b_əʊ_n] (IPA phonetic alphabet).
Barbone is an Italian noun that refers to an organ grinder or a person who plays the barrel organ, a mechanical musical instrument popular in past centuries. The term comes from the Italian word "barba," meaning "beard," which represents the long beards commonly associated with these musicians. Barbones were often seen on the streets, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, entertaining passersby by playing music on their barrel organs.
The barrel organ itself, also known as a street organ, is a portable, hand-cranked instrument that consists of a series of wooden barrels with metal pins. By turning the crank, the organ grinder causes the barrel to rotate, activating the pins and producing a sequence of notes. Typically, the barrel would have different tunes engraved on its surface, allowing the musician to play a variety of melodies simply by changing the barrel.
Barbones and their barrel organs were a common sight in public spaces throughout Europe, especially in cities like Rome and Paris. They were known for their distinctive appearance, typically dressed in vibrant attire with a hat and adorned with ribbons. Their presence added a lively and cheerful atmosphere to the streets, attracting crowds with their catchy tunes and becoming an integral part of urban culture.
Today, the term barbone can also be used more broadly to describe someone who plays any type of organ, including those that are not barrel-operated. It captures the essence of an organ grinder and the tradition they represent in the history of street entertainment.
A disease of cattle marked by high fever, depression, loss of appetite, inflammation of the mucous membrane of the mouth and tongue, dyspnea, and edematous tumefactions on face, neck, shoulders, abdomen, and legs. These swellings consist of a yellow gelatiniform exudate. Death may occur in a few hours and the mortality amounts to 40 or 50 per cent. The disease occurs in young animals in the summer season. Ovoid cocci are found in the blood, saliva, milk, urine, and fetal blood Barbone may be transmitted to the horse, ox, sheep, pig, guinea-pig, rabbit, pigeon, and turkey. Infection occurs through wounds of the skin, through the digestive mucous membrane, and through the pulmonary tissue.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "barbone" has its origins in the Italian language. It derives from the Italian term "barba", which means "beard". In Italian, "barbone" originally referred to a person with a long and unkempt beard. Over time, the term evolved and acquired additional meanings. In some contexts, "barbone" came to be associated with a homeless person or someone living on the streets. In other contexts, it can refer to a person who is unshaven or scruffy in appearance.