from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Harmonica \Har*mon"i*ca\ (-[i^]*k[.a]), n. [Fem. fr. L.
harmonicus harmonic. See {Harmonic}, n. ]
1. A musical instrument, consisting of a series of
hemispherical glasses which, by touching the edges with
the dampened finger, give forth the tones; it is now
called the {glass harmonica}, to distinguish it from the
common harmonica, formerly called the harmonicon.
[1913 Webster]
2. A toy instrument of strips of glass or metal hung on two
tapes, and struck with hammers.
[1913 Webster]
3. A small wind musical instrument shaped like a flat bar
with holes along the thin edges, held in the hand and
producing notes from multiple vibrating reeds arranged
inside along its length; it was formerly called the
{harmonicon}. See {harmonicon}.
[PJC]