Ket"tle*drum` (?), n.
1. Mus.
A drum made of thin copper in the form of a hemispherical kettle, with parchment stretched over the mouth of it.
⇒ Kettledrums, in pairs, were formerly used in martial music for cavalry, but are now chiefly confined to orchestras, where they are called tympani.
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.
© Webster 1913.