hurdy-gurdies

Noun

hurdy-gurdy (plural hurdy-gurdies)

1. A stringed instrument that produces a droning sound by turning a handle that connects to a wheel that rubs against a rosined string, with a keyboard also used to alter the pitch of the string.

   Synonyms:

   organistrum, wheel fiddle

2. Synonym of street organ, often considered a misnomer.
   • He flung open the door, and found there only a ragged boy with a hurdy-gurdy on his back.1956 [1880], Johanna Spyri, Heidi, translation of original by Eileen Hall, page 83

   Synonyms:

   street organ, often considered a misnomer

3. (California, US) A water wheel with radial buckets, driven by the impact of a jet.
4. A winch, a windlass.
   • A pair of oars, a small mast and sail, pen boards to contain the fish, a bailer, a water jar, a bait knife, a compass, a small wooden winch called a hurdy gurdy, a fish gaff, and the tubs, trawls, floats, and anchors used to set gear was all that was required to equip it.2009, Keith McLaren, A Race for Real Sailors, page 20

See all 5 meanings of hurdy-gurdy