bassoon

[ba-soon, buh-] /bæˈsun, bə-/
noun
1.
a large woodwind instrument of low range, with a doubled tube and a curved metal crook to which a double reed is attached.
Origin
1720-30; < French basson < Italian bassone (bass(o) low (see base2) + -one augmentative suffix)
Related forms
bassoonist, noun
British Dictionary definitions for bassoons

bassoon

/bəˈsuːn/
noun
1.
a woodwind instrument, the tenor of the oboe family. Range: about three and a half octaves upwards from the B flat below the bass staff
2.
an orchestral musician who plays the bassoon
Derived Forms
bassoonist, noun
Word Origin
C18: from French basson, from Italian bassone, from basso deep; see base²
Word Origin and History for bassoons

bassoon

n.

1727, from French basson (17c.), from Italian bassone, augmentative of basso (see bass (adj.)). Cf. balloon (n.); also see -oon.

bassoons in Culture

bassoon definition


The second largest and second lowest pitched of the woodwinds. (The less common contrabassoon is larger and has a lower pitch.) It is played with a double reed.