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Glite Dictionary
plectrum

plectrum

1 8.1
A small thin piece of plastic or metal used to play instruments with strings, like a guitar pick
  • noun
  • /ˈplɛktrəm/
translation icon : pua
  • These instruments are collectively referred to as pua (plectrum) because they are played with picks.

Examples

  • She used a plectrum to play the guitar, creating a beautiful melody.

  • Classical fingering technique, three-finger folk picking, and plectrum strumming can all find a legitimate place in the guitar class.

    Academic text (1990)

  • They tried leather Plectra, which has a kind of a sweet sound, but you can understand what the limitations of that would be.

  • Kuniyoshi plucked the notes with a plectrum, a pick made of horn that fits over the finger.

    Blog text (31)

  • He couldn't pinch a plectrum.

    Fiction book (1995)

  • After tuning his instrument, Jake reached for his plectrum to start strumming the chords.

  • A plectrum is essential for guitarists who prefer a brighter sound than finger picking.

Synonyms

pick
vsplectrum
25 3.8

A small thin tool used to pluck guitar strings

is a more formal or traditional term for the same plucking object
guitar pick
vsplectrum
4 2.9

A small flat piece for plucking or strumming guitar strings

is used across different stringed instruments, not just one
plectron
vsplectrum
9.9

A small thin tool used to pluck the strings of instruments like a guitar

is the more common general name for that same small plucking piece

Surface Forms

plectrum singular
plectrums plural

Etymology

Plectrum comes from the Greek word plektron, which meant 'a thing for striking' or 'a pick' used to hit strings. So a plectrum today is a small pick used to pluck or strum the strings of instruments like a guitar.