noun. A percussion instrument consisting of a pair of slightly concave shells of ivory or hardwood, held in the palm of the hand by a connecting cord over the thumb and clapped together with the fingers.

noun. One of a pair of slightly concave spoon-shaped shells of ivory or hard wood, loosely fastened together at the base, and used (slung over the thumb) in beating time to music or dancing.

noun. See castanets.

noun. A single handheld percussion instrument, from of a pair of concave shells joined on one edge by string. Normally not used in singular.

"A little to one side sit old men musicians, who keep up a kind of castanet rattle with split willow wands and a droning accompaniment of meaningless syllables, like the burden of old ballads."

castanetist  

Dobro  bagpipe  banjo  blasterfire  chinaware  

castanets