theremin

/ˈθɛə.ɹəˌmɪn/

ΘƐƏ · ɹəmɪn (2 syllables)

English Noun

Definition

An electronic musical instrument that generates sound of varying pitch and volume depending on the proximity of the musician’s hands to two antennae mounted on the instrument.

Etymology

Named after Russian inventor Léon Theremin (1896–1993). Theremin is a French version of his Russian name, Ле́в Терме́н (Lév Termén).