The Collaborative International Dictionary
Shawm \Shawm\, n. [OE. shalmie, OF. chalemie; cf. F. chalumeau
shawm, chaume haulm, stalk; all fr. L. calamus a reed, reed
pipe. See Haulm, and cf. Calumet.] (Mus.)
A wind instrument of music, formerly in use, supposed to have
resembled either the clarinet or the hautboy in form.
[Written also shalm, shaum.]
--Otway.
Even from the shrillest shaum unto the cornamute.
--Drayton.
Usage examples of "shaum".
The wail of the shaum and dronepipe sent shivery hackles up his spine—not Bardcraft, but close, close.
The wail of the shaum and dronepipe sent shivery hackles up his spinenot Bardcraft, but close, close.
The wail of the shaum and dronepipe sent shivery hackles up his spine.
Even now, the royal musicians were tuning shaum and sackbutt and tambour, trilling snatches of jaunty airs and stately pavanes in the music gallery.