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dulcimer
(dul′sə mər)
noun
- a zither having a usually trapezoidal shape and a number of metal strings, which are struck with two small hammers by the player
- a zither of the southern Appalachians, often long and hourglass-shaped, played on the lap or a table by plucking with a wooden plectrum or goose quillalso dulcimore
- Bible a musical instrument, variously interpreted to be a harp, bagpipe, etc.: see Dan. 3:5
Origin: ME doucemer < OFr doulcemer < Sp dulcemele < L dulce-melos < dulce, neut. of dulcis, sweet (see dulcet) + melos < Gr, a song, strain
See dulcimer in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
- A narrow, often hourglass-shaped stringed instrument having three or four strings and a fretted fingerboard, typically held flat across the knees while sitting and played by plucking or strumming. Also called Appalachian dulcimer, mountain dulcimer.
- The hammered dulcimer.
Origin:
Origin: Alteration (influenced by Latin dulcis, sweet)
Origin: of Middle English doucemer
Origin: , from Old French doulcemer, doulcemele
Origin: , probably from Latin dulce melos, sweet song
Origin: : dulce
Origin: , neuter of dulcis, sweet
Origin: + melos, song (from Greek melos)
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