noun
- an ancient Egyptian percussion instrument consisting of a metal frame with loose metal rods or rings that rattle when shaken
Usage: historical; musical instrument
Examples
- The priestess shook the sistrum during the religious ceremony.
- Ancient Egyptian sistrums were often decorated with the image of Hathor.
- The museum’s collection includes a bronze sistrum from the Ptolemaic period.
- Archaeologists discovered several sistrums in the temple ruins.
- The sistrum’s rattling sound was believed to ward off evil spirits.
- Modern musicians sometimes use replicas of ancient sistrums in performances.