zithern
9.9
A flat instrument with strings you pluck while it lies on your lap
- noun
- /ˈzɪθərn/
- Archaic
:
cítara
- Genji was so deeply and passionately taken with Fujitsubo that there were moments when the mere sound of her voice, even from a distance, "dimly blending with the sound of zithern or flute," could calm his intense emotions.
Examples
-
She played the zithern beautifully, filling the room with melodic sounds.
-
His fingers danced across the strings of the zithern, creating a soothing atmosphere.
-
At the festival, musicians entertained the crowd with the gentle strumming of the zithern.
Synonyms
zither
vszithern
3
9.9
A flat wooden musical instrument with many strings plucked while it lies flat
is played only by plucking with a plectrum and fingers
9.9
A small string instrument like a guitar that you play by plucking the strings
is the same instrument type but not described as historical
9.9
An old string instrument with a flat, often triangular board played by plucking strings
has a flat sounding board rather than a trapezoidal one
Surface Forms
Etymology
Zithern comes from the German word Zither, which in turn comes from the old Greek kithara meaning 'string instrument'. So a zithern is still a flat, plucked instrument with strings, like a close cousin of the guitar.