psaltery — ancient stringed instrument, c.1300, from O.Fr. psalterie (12c.), from L. psalterium stringed instrument, from Gk. psalterion stringed instrument, from psallein play on a stringed instrument, pull, pluck … Etymology dictionary
psaltery — [sôl′tər ē] n. pl. psalteries [ME psauterie < OFr sautere, psalterie < L psalterium: see PSALTER] a stringed instrument of the zither family, popular esp. in 12th 15th cent. Europe, having a modified trapezoidal body and a variable number… … English World dictionary
Psaltery — Picture of a psaltery A psaltery is a stringed musical instrument of the harp or the zither family. The psaltery of Ancient Greece[1] (Epigonion) dates from at least 2800 BC, when it was a harp like instrument. Etymologically the word derives… … Wikipedia
psaltery — /sawl teuh ree/, n., pl. psalteries. 1. an ancient musical instrument consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings which are plucked with the fingers or with a plectrum. 2. (cap.) the Psalter. [125] * * * ▪ musical instrument… … Universalium
psaltery — /ˈsɔltəri/ (say sawltuhree) noun (plural psalteries) an ancient musical instrument consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings which were plucked with the fingers or struck with a plectrum. {Latin psaltērium, from Greek psaltērion… …
psaltery — also psaltry noun (plural teries; also tries) Etymology: Middle English psalterie, from Anglo French, from Latin psalterium, from Greek psaltērion, from psallein to play on a stringed instrument Date: 14th century an ancient musical instrument… … New Collegiate Dictionary
psaltery — noun An ancient musical instrument, similar to a dulcimer or a zither, and played by plucking the strings with the fingers or a plectrum. And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring… … Wiktionary
Psaltery — A musical instrument, supposed to have been a kind of lyre, or a harp with twelve strings. The Hebrew word nebhel, so rendered, is translated viol in Isa. 5:12 (R.V., lute ); 14:11. In Dan. 3:5, 7, 10, 15, the word thus rendered is Chaldaic,… … Easton's Bible Dictionary
Psaltery — Plucked stringed musical instrument. Cf. Dulcimer … Dictionary of Medieval Terms and Phrases
psaltery — psal|ter|y [ˈso:ltəri US ˈso:l ] n plural psalteries [Date: 1200 1300; : Old French; Origin: sauterie, from Latin psalterium; PSALTER] an ancient musical instrument with strings stretched over a board … Dictionary of contemporary English