zither

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zith·er

(zĭth′ər, zĭth′-) also zith·ern (-ərn)

A musical instrument composed of a flat sound box with about 30 to 40 strings stretched over it and played horizontally with the fingertips, a plectrum, or a bow, or set into vibration by the wind, as in the Aeolian harp.

[German, from Middle High German *zitter, from Old High German zitera, from Latin cithara, cithara, from Greek kitharā.]

zith′er·ist n.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

zither

(ˈzɪðə)

(Instruments) a plucked musical instrument consisting of numerous strings stretched over a resonating box, a few of which may be stopped on a fretted fingerboard

[C19: from German, from Latin cithara, from Greek kithara]

ˈzitherist n

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

zith•er

(ˈzɪθ ər, ˈzɪð-)

n.

a musical instrument, consisting of a flat sounding box with strings stretched over it, that is placed on a horizontal surface and played with a plectrum and the fingertips.

[1840–50; < German < Latin cithara < Greek kithárá; see kithara]

zith′er•ist, n.

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

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Noun

zither - a musical stringed instrument with strings stretched over a flat sounding board; it is laid flat and played with a plectrum and with fingers

cither, zithern

dulcimer - a trapezoidal zither whose metal strings are struck with light hammers

stringed instrument - a musical instrument in which taut strings provide the source of sound

Translations

citera

citer

sitra

citera

sítar

cithara

ţiteră

citra

citre

cittra

zither

[ˈzɪðəʳ] N → cítara f

Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

zither

[ˈzɪðə^r] n → cithare f

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

zither

n → Zither f

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

zither

[ˈzɪðəʳ] n → cetra

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References in classic literature ?

So he used to wander to the neighborhood of the Lei, evenings, with his Zither and "Express his Longing in low Singing," as Garnham says.

"An unintentional cry of Joy escaped the Youth, he let his Zither fall, and with extended arms he called out the name of the enigmatical Being, who seemed to stoop lovingly to him and beckon to him in a friendly manner; indeed, if his ear did not deceive him, she called his name with unutterable sweet Whispers, proper to love.

"It was on the evening before his departure, as he wished still once to visit the Lei and offer to the Nymph of the Rhine his Sighs, the tones of his Zither, and his Songs.

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I fain would take the zither, By some stray fancy led; But there are none to hear me, And who can charm the dead?

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Albrecht--there was a man named Albrecht--played the zither and improvised; I keep on wondering what has happened to him.

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Furthermore, the Ensemble regularly takes on other instruments (chromatic zithers or third-tone zithers, the bouzouki, the electric guitar, baroque instruments, traditional instruments or new instruments invented for the occasion).

Eastern music brings a host of instruments together

Obviously if you see them live, the effort will be apparent - it's impossible to disguise percussive zithers, furiously strummed guitars and pedal steels that build and swirl into a cacophony.

HAVE A GANDER WHEN SWANS FLY INTO TOWN FOR MANDELA HALL GIG

Using the instruments of his time, Zelenka splendidly characterises the sound of Biblical musical instruments--lutes, zithers, tubas, cimbaloms, drums and fifes.

Jan Dismas Zelenka

There are four sections of handicrafts at the pavilion - Kaaba covers, distribution of Zamzam, handicrafts, and Arabian zithers. Abdul Mohsen Abanami, director of the general Department for Engineering Affairs and Support Services at the SCTA, said the pavilion highlights the diversity of the Makkah province, which was part of the old Hejaz regio, with its rich urban heritage.

Glimpses of Hejaz heritage, culture at travel mart

A fabulous large-format picture book to introduce children to a wide range of musical instruments from cymbals to zithers and all the more familiar ones in between.

Greenberg, Nicki: BOM! Went the Bear

Associated with the Big Apple's "antifolk" scene, her sophisticated sound is produced with acoustic guitars, pianos, organs, harmoniums, xylophones and zithers. She has produced six albums in as many years and counts Great Danes and Erik Satie among her influences.