n. [ F. ophicléide, fr. Gr. 'o`fis a serpent + &unr_;, gen. &unr_;, a key. So named because it was in effect the serpent, an old musical instrument, with keys added. ] (Mus.) A large brass wind instrument, formerly used in the orchestra and in military bands, having a loud tone, deep pitch, and a compass of three octaves; -- now generally supplanted by bass and contrabass tubas. It developed from the older wooden instrument called the serpent. Moore (Encyc. of Music). [ 1913 Webster +PJC ]