Zither

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈzɪ.ðə(ɹ)/
• US IPA: /ˈzɪ.ðɚ/
• Rhymes: -ɪðə(r)

Origin

From German, from Latin cithara, from Ancient Greek κιθάρα (kithara, "kind of harp").

Full definition of zither

Noun

1. A musical instrument consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings, placed on a horizontal surface, and played with a plectrum and fingertips; similar to a dulcimer. In the Norwegian harpeleik and Swedish cittra versions, the instrument is considered a chorded zither and usually has 7 (Norwegian) to 9 (Swedish) chords, some with as many as 11 strings each, which are mostly strummed and damped as chords, although sometimes plucked. The Norwegian harpeleik and Swedish cittra are still in production by a German manufacturer.

Derived terms

• zitherist