Meaning
A thumb piano, a musical instrument having a small sound box fitted with a row of tuned tabs that are plucked with the thumbs, originating among the Shona of southern Africa; any type of plucked lamellophone of the same type as the Shona instrument.
Etymology
Origin: Unknown
Borrowed from Shona mbira (“thumb piano”).
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms
finger pianosanzathumb piano
NYT Puzzle Appearances
No published puzzle dates on file for this word yet. It is part of the official NYT Spelling Bee word list for 2021, 2023, 2026.