cittern
UK /ˈsɪtən/ · US /ˈsɪtəɹn/ noun
Forms citterns cither cithern cithren zittern
- noun A stringed instrument (chordophone), played with a plectrum (a pick), and most commonly possessing four wire strings and chromatic frets, which is a precursor to the modern day guitar.
Synonyms
Etymology
Blend of cither + gittern.
Webster’s 1913
- noun An instrument shaped like a lute, but strung with wire and played with a quill or plectrum. [Written also cithern.] Shak.
Etymology [L.cithara, Gr. Cithara, Gittern.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “cittern”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details