clavichord

n. early musical instrument which resembles the piano

The clavichord is a European stringed keyboard instrument known from the late Medieval, through the Renaissance, Baroque and Classical eras. Historically, it was widely used as a practice instrument and as an aid to composition. The clavichord produces sound by striking brass or iron strings with small metal blades called tangents. Vibrations are transmitted through the bridge(s) to the soundboard. The name is derived from the Latin word clavis, meaning "key" (associated with more common clavus, meaning "nail, rod, etc.") and chorda (from Greek χορδή) meaning "string, especially of a musical instrument".
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Noun
1. an early stringed instrument like a piano but with more delicate sound
(hypernym) stringed instrument

n. clavichord, early musical instrument which resembles the piano

(n.)
A keyed stringed instrument, now superseded by the pianoforte. See Clarichord.