Ophicleide

Ophicleide [Gk. ophis, serpent + kleides, key], 1. (Fr.: ophicléide, basse à clefs, basse d'harmonie, clairon chromatique basse; Ger.: Ophikleide; It.: oficleide; Port., Sp.: figle), obs. family of large *keyed bugles, named and introduced by Halary (Jean-Hilaire Asté) of Paris in 1817. Halary tried to obtain a patent at that time, but was informed that his ophicleide was but a development of the *basse-guerrière, and the patent was withheld until March 24, 1921. The ophicleide was of metal…