Kettledrum

kettledrum
    n 1: a large hemispherical brass or copper percussion instrument
         with a drumhead that can be tuned by adjusting the tension
         on it [syn: {kettle}, {kettledrum}, {tympanum}, {tympani},
         {timpani}]
    

Kettledrum \Ket"tle*drum`\ (-dr[u^]m`), n.
   1. (Mus.) A drum made of thin copper in the form of a
      hemispherical kettle, with parchment stretched over the
      mouth of it.
      [1913 Webster]

   Note: Kettledrums, in pairs, were formerly used in martial
         music for cavalry, but are now chiefly confined to
         orchestras, where they are called {tympani}.
         [1913 Webster]

   2. An informal social party at which a light collation is
      offered, held in the afternoon or early evening. Cf.
      {Drum}, n., 4 and 5.
      [1913 Webster]
    

27 Moby Thesaurus words for "kettledrum":
      bongo drum, conga, drum, drumhead, drumskin, drumstick, jazz stick,
      kettle, membranophone, side drum, snare, snare drum, tabor,
      taboret, tabret, tam-tam, tambourine, tenor drum, timbrel, timpani,
      tom-tom, troll-drum, tymp stick, tympan, tympanon, tympanum,
      war drum