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
1
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
1
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
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.