Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Rebec

Rebec (rē"bek) , noun

[French, from Italian ribeca, ribeba, from Arabic rabāb a musical instrument of a round form.]

1.
(Music) An instrument formerly used which somewhat resembled the violin, having three strings, and being played with a bow. — Milton
He turn'd his rebec to a mournful note. — Drayton
2.
A contemptuous term applied to an old woman. [Obsolete] — Chaucer