Klavier

Klavier (Ger.) [Fr. clavier], Fr. word taken over into MHGer. since Virdung (in 1511) in its original sense of keyboard, and since 1677 to denote any stringed keyboard instr.; during most of the 18th c. (recorded 1711 on) specifically denoting the clavichord. During the 19th c. the word became almost syn. with square piano but was also used for upright piano, in contradistinction to the grand form then known as Fortepiano or Flügel. Today the word applies chiefly to the upright piano. The term…