zither

Meaning

Noun

1. A musical instrument consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings placed on a horizontal surface, played with a plectrum or fingertips.
2. Related or similar instruments in other cultures, such as the Chinese guqin or Norwegian harpeleik; especially any chordophone without a neck, and with strings that pass over the body.

Verb

1. To play a zither.
2. To make a sound similar to that made by a zither; to move while making such a sound.

Synonyms

cither

zithern

cittern

gittern

lyre

stringed musical instrument

Chinese cymbalo

Chinese dulcimer

cithern

citole

Translations

cithare

Zither

citer

cítara

cítara

cetra

cítara

cithara

τσίτερ

zither

zither

cetra tirolese

σαντούρι

kanun türünden bir çalgı

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈzɪ.ðə/

Etymology

Borrowed from German Zither, from Old High German zithara, from Latin cithara, from Ancient Greek κιθάρα (kithára, “a kind of harp”). Doublet of cithara, cither, and guitar.