Pronunciation: ˌ h ə r-d ē - ' g ə r-d ē , ' h ə r-d ē - ˌ
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural -gurdies
Etymology: probably imitative
Date: 1749
1 : a stringed instrument in which sound is produced by the friction of a rosined wheel turned by a crank against the strings and the pitches are varied by keys
2 : any of various mechanical musical instruments (as the barrel organ)
hurdy-gurdy