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piston

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music | 1996 | | Copyright

piston.
1. A type of valve in brass instr., bored with passages which, when it is depressed within its casing, deflect the air-stream passing through it into the valve tubing. First valve lowers pitch a tone, 2nd a semitone, 3rd 3 semitones. If a 4th valve is added, it is adjusted to lower pitch 2 tones and a semitone, or a perfect 4th. New harmonic series can be prod. from these valves singly or in combination.

2. (Fr.). Abbreviation for cornet-à-pistons, the cornet.

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MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "piston." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "piston." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-piston.html

MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE. "piston." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O76-piston.html

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piston

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English | 2009 | Copyright

pis·ton / ˈpistn/ • n. a disk or short cylinder fitting closely within a tube in which it moves up and down against a liquid or gas, used in an internal combustion engine to derive motion, or in a pump to impart motion. ∎ a valve in a brass musical instrument in the form of a piston, depressed to alter the pitch of a note.

piston

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"piston." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

"piston." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-piston.html

"piston." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-piston.html

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piston

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology | 1996 | | Copyright

piston XVIII. — F. — It. pistone, var. of pestone pestle, rammer, augm. f. pest- in pestello PESTLE.

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T. F. HOAD. "piston." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 29 May. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>.

T. F. HOAD. "piston." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (May 29, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-piston.html

T. F. HOAD. "piston." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved May 29, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-piston.html

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