A musical instrument, in the shape of two half globes, which were held one in each hand of the performer, and played by being struck against each other. The cymbal was a very ancient instrument, being used in the worship of Cybele, Bacchus, Juno, and all the earlier deities of the Grecian and Roman mythology. It probably came from the east. for sistrum, which some have regerred to the class of cymbala. - Smith, 1873.