/ ˈtɪmpəni; NAmE / (also informal timps / tɪmps; NAmE /) noun
[ pl. ] a set of large metal drums (also called kettledrums ) in an orchestra
► tim·pan·ist noun
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WORD ORIGIN
late 19th cent.: from Italian , plural of timpano kettledrum, from Latin tympanum drum, from Greek tumpanon drum, based on tuptein to strike.