ophicleide Meaning, Definition & Usage

F. ophicléide, fr. Gr. a serpent + , gen. , a key. So named because it was in effect the serpent, an old musical instrument, with keys added.

(Mus.) A large brass wind instrument, formerly used in the orchestra and in military bands, having a loud tone, deep pitch, and a compass of three octaves; -- now generally supplanted by bass and contrabass tubas. Moore (Encyc. of Music).