Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913
Ophicleide
Oph′i·cleide, n. [F. ophicléide, fr. Gr. ὄφις a serpent + κλείς, gen. κλειδός, a key. So named because it was in effect the serpent, an old musical instrument, with keys added.] (Mus.) A large brass wind instrument, formerly used in the orchestra and in military bands, having a loud tone, deep pitch, and a compass of three octaves; — now generally supplanted by bass and contrabass tubas. Moore (Encyc. of Music).