Tambourine
or TAMBOURIN, an ancient pulsatile musical instrument of the drum class, popular among all European people, but particularly those of the S. The Biscayan and Italian peasantry employ it on every festal occasion. It is formed of a hoop of wood, sometimes of metal, over which is stretched a piece of parchment or skin; the sides of the hoop are pierced with holes, in which are inserted pieces of metal in pairs, called jingles. Small bells are sometimes fastened on to the outer edge of the hoop. It is sounded by being struck with the knuckles, or by drawing the fingers or thumb over the skin, which produces what is called "the roll," a peculiar drone. Also a stage dance formerly popular in France. It was of a lively measure, and accompanied with a pedal bass in imitation of "the roll."
TAMBOUR WORK (French, tambour, a drum), a species of embroidery on muslin or other thin material, worked on circular frames which resemble drum heads. The practice of tambouring is rapidly being replaced by pattern weaving. See EMBROIDERY.