maraca

maraca [muh-rah-kuh, -rak-uh] ExamplesWord Origin noun

1. a gourd or a gourd-shaped rattle filled with seeds or pebbles and used, often in a pair, as a rhythm instrument.

Origin of maraca 1815–25; Portuguese Tupi maráka Examples from the Web for maraca Historical Examples of maraca

Davey was thrashing in the water, his face swollen and bloody, his eyes rattling like dried peas in a maraca.

Someone Comes to Town, Someone Leaves Town

Cory Doctorow

British Dictionary definitions for maraca maraca noun

1. a percussion instrument, usually one of a pair, consisting of a gourd or plastic shell filled with dried seeds, pebbles, etc. It is used chiefly in Latin American music

Word Origin for maraca C20: Brazilian Portuguese, from Tupi Word Origin and History for maraca n.

gourd rattle used as a percussion instrument, 1813, from Portuguese, from Brazilian native name.