bassoon
UK: bəˈsuːn | US: bəˈsuːn
n. a large woodwind instrument with a double reed, producing a deep, rich tone in the tenor and bass ranges.
The word "bassoon" traces back to the Italian "bassone," combining "basso" (low) with the augmentative suffix "-one." This reflects the instrument's role as a larger, deeper variant of earlier double-reed instruments like the dulcian. The suffix "-oon" was anglicized from Italian, emphasizing the instrument's size and tonal depth.
The bassoon provides a warm, resonant foundation in orchestral woodwind sections.
She practiced the bassoon for hours to master the intricate fingerings.
The composer featured a solo bassoon passage in the second movement.
His dream was to play the bassoon in a professional symphony orchestra.
The bassoon's reedy timbre added a rustic charm to the ensemble.