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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (gcide)

Castanets \Cas"ta*nets\, n. pl. [F. castagnettes, Sp.
casta[~n]etas, fr. L. castanea (Sp. casta[~n]a) a chestnut.
So named from the resemblance to two chestnuts, or because
chestnuts were first used for castanets. See {Chestnut}.]
Two small, concave shells of ivory or hard wood, shaped like
spoons, fastened to the thumb, and beaten together with the
middle finger; -- used by the Spaniards and Moors as an
accompaniment to their dance and guitars.
[1913 Webster]

Note: The singular, castanet, is used of one of the pair, or,
sometimes, of the pair forming the instrument.
[1913 Webster]

The dancer, holding a castanet in each hand,
rattles them to the motion of his feet. --Moore
(Encyc. of
Music).
[1913 Webster]