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Definition of octobass in English:

octobass

noun

Music
historical

  • A very large instrument of the viol family, having three strings which were stopped by keys worked by the fingers and feet.

Origin

Late 19th century; earliest use found in Edward H. Knight (1824–1883), patent lawyer and expert in mechanics. From octo- + bass, after French octobasse.

Pronunciation

octobass

/ˌɒktə(ʊ)ˈbeɪs/