1. The plural form of the French term for timpani.

   Also [Eng.] kettledrum; [Fr.] timbale; [Fr.] timbales; [Ger.] Pauke; [Ger.] Pauken; [It.] timpani; [It.] timpano; [It.] timballo; [It.] tympani; [Sp.] timbal or [Sp.] atabal.

2. A Cuban percussion instrument consisting of a pair of single head, shallow drums tuned to different pitches, and performed with two sticks. These drums are essential to Latin American popular music.

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Timbales