Stimmgabel

tuning fork

noun SHTIM-gah-bel Rare

Origin: from stimmen (to tune) + Gabel (fork)

Usage Note

Stimmgabel is the tuning fork that gives the reference pitch, usually the A. The verb stimmen means both to tune an instrument and to be correct, so Das stimmt means That's right.

Examples

"Der Chorleiter gab den Ton mit der Stimmgabel an."

Natural Translation

The choir director gave the pitch with a tuning fork.

Literal Translation

The choir-leader gave the tone with the tuning-fork at.

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