Category:Kettledrum

Ket"tle*drum`, n.

1. (Mus.)

Defn: A drum made of thin copper in the form of a hemispherical kettle, with parchment stretched over the mouth of it.

Note: Kettledrums, in pairs, were formerly used in martial music for cavalry, but are now chiefly confined to orchestras, where they are called tympani.

2. An informal social party at which a light collation is offered, held in the afternoon or early evening. Cf. Drum, n., 4 and 5.