The word "tambour" has a unique spelling that may cause confusion for some readers. The correct pronunciation is /tæmˈbʊər/, with the stress on the second syllable. It originated from the French word "tambour", which means "drum". The spelling of the word was influenced by its French roots and the English language's tendency to borrow spelling from other languages. The "o" in the word is silent, and the "u" is pronounced as "oo". So, it's crucial to spell it correctly for accurate pronunciation.
Tambour refers to a musical instrument that belongs to the percussion family and is widely used in various cultures and musical genres around the world. It typically consists of a cylindrical or hoop-like frame, made of wood or metal, over which a drumhead or a thin membrane, often made of animal skin, is stretched tightly. This drumhead is usually played with the hands, fingers, or sticks, producing a distinct and resonating sound.
The term "tambour" can also refer to the drumming technique employed to play the instrument, where the drumhead is struck with different degrees of intensity to create a range of sounds and tones. The skill required to play the tambour involves a combination of precise hand movements, coordination, and rhythmic control.
Furthermore, "tambour" can be used in the context of fashion and sewing as well. In this sense, it refers to an embroidery technique or a device utilized in hand or machine embroidery. The tambour in fashion involves stretching fabric tightly over a frame, and an attached hooked needle is used to create various decorative patterns on the fabric by passing thread through it.
Overall, tambour is a versatile term that is commonly used to describe a musical instrument, a drumming technique, or an embroidery technique, depending on the context in which it is used.
The recording part of a graphic apparatus, such as a sphygmograph, consisting of a membrane stretched across the open end of a cylinder and the recording stile attached to it.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
• To embroider with a tambour.
• A small drum; in arch., the naked part of certain capitals, bearing some resemblance to a drum; also the wall of a circular temple surrounded with columns, or the circular vertical part of a cupola above and below; a round course of stone's in a pillar; a frame used by embroiderers, so called from its drum-like shape; the rich embroidery worked on it.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "tambour" has a multifaceted etymology.
1. It can be traced back to the Arabic word "tanbur", which refers to a type of lute. This term was borrowed into several European languages, including French, where it transformed into "tambour".
2. Another origin comes from the Middle Dutch word "tromme" or "trumme", meaning a drum. This term influenced the development of the Old French word "tambor" (or "tabour") and eventually evolved into "tambour".
Both of these etymological pathways contributed to shaping the meaning of "tambour". Today, the term commonly refers to a drum-like musical instrument or a drum used for embroidery work.