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claves

Pronunciation: /kleɪvz, klɑːvz/
Definition of claves

noun

  • a pair of hardwood sticks used to make a hollow sound when struck together.
  • (clave) [mass noun] a syncopated rhythm typical of some Latin American music.

Origin:

1920s: from Latin American Spanish, from Spanish clave 'keystone', from Latin clavis 'key'

claves in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of claves in the US English dictionary

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