saxophone

noun sak-so-FON Rare

Origin: Invented by Adolphe Sax, Belgian instrument-maker, c. 1840

Usage Note

Saxophone is notable for being named after its Belgian inventor Adolphe Sax, making it one of the few instruments named after a person. The informal shortening saxo is very common in French. Players are called saxophoniste or simply saxo.

Examples

"Elle joue du saxophone dans un groupe de jazz."

Natural Translation

She plays the saxophone in a jazz band.

Literal Translation

She plays of-the saxophone in a group of jazz.

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