tremulant: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical (Music, especially organ building); occasionally literary/poetic.
Quick answer
What does “tremulant” mean?
A device in a pipe organ that produces a trembling or vibrato effect in the sound.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A device in a pipe organ that produces a trembling or vibrato effect in the sound.
Any person or thing that trembles or causes a trembling, quivering, or shaking movement.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage; both dialects use it primarily in the technical organ context.
Connotations
Neutral in technical use; archaic/poetic when used adjectivally.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects, known almost exclusively by musicians, organists, and lexicophiles.
Grammar
How to Use “tremulant” in a Sentence
The [organist] engaged the tremulant.A [slight] tremulant was audible.The [voice] was tremulant with emotion.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “tremulant” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [No standard verb form in use]
American English
- [No standard verb form in use]
adverb
British English
- [No standard adverb form in use]
American English
- [No standard adverb form in use]
adjective
British English
- Her voice was faint and tremulant in the vast cathedral.
American English
- He spoke with a tremulant intensity that captivated the audience.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in musicology texts discussing organ construction and Baroque performance practice.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be considered an esoteric or literary word.
Technical
Standard term in organ building and specification.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “tremulant”
- Confusing 'tremulant' (noun/adjective) with 'tremble' (verb).
- Using it in general speech where 'shaky' or 'trembling' would be appropriate.
- Misspelling as 'tremulent'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a very low-frequency word, known mainly to musicians, particularly organists and those involved in pipe organ construction or restoration.
Yes, but it is rare and literary. It means 'trembling' or 'quivering,' as in 'a tremulant voice.' Its primary use is as a noun for the organ device.
'Tremolo' refers to a rapid repetition of a single note or a rapid alternation between two notes to create a trembling effect, used across many instruments. 'Tremulant' specifically refers to the device in a pipe organ that modulates the wind supply to create a vibrato effect.
In British English: /ˈtrɛmjʊlənt/. In American English: /ˈtrɛmjələnt/. The main difference is in the treatment of the 'u' sound in the middle syllable.
A device in a pipe organ that produces a trembling or vibrato effect in the sound.
Tremulant is usually technical (music, especially organ building); occasionally literary/poetic. in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'TREMble + inSTRUMENT' = TREMULANT, a device that makes sound tremble.
Conceptual Metaphor
EMOTION IS UNSTEADY MOVEMENT (e.g., a 'tremulant voice' betrays fear or strong feeling).
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the word 'tremulant' primarily a technical term?