Definition & Meaning of "bowed clavier"

What is a "bowed clavier"?

A bowed clavier is a historical keyboard instrument in which strings are bowed rather than struck or plucked. When the keys are pressed, a mechanism causes a set of strings to be bowed by a rotating wheel or another device, producing a sound similar to a string instrument. This instrument was designed to offer the rich, resonant tones of bowed strings with the convenience of a keyboard. It was used primarily during the Renaissance and early Baroque periods, and is known for its unique, smooth sound.