Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Rebec
Re′bec
(rē′bĕk)
, Noun.
[F., fr. It.
ribeca
, ribeba
, fr. Ar. rabāb
a musical instrument of a round form.] 1.
(Mus.)
An instrument formerly used which somewhat resembled the violin, having three strings, and being played with a bow.
[Written also
rebeck
.] Milton.
He turn’d his
rebec
to a mournful note. Drayton.
2.
A contemptuous term applied to an old woman.
[Obs.]
Chaucer.