The folding harpsichord was a kind of harpsichord meant for travel. Since it could be folded up into a fairly compact space, it was more easily transported than a conventional harpsichord. The folding took place on hinges and was in the longitudinal dimension, preserving the tension on the strings. The folded instrument formed a package about the size of a large suitcase. It is sometimes called by its French equivalent, clavecin brisé, which means "broken harpsichord," or by the German term, Reisecembalo, which means "travel harpsichord."