dulcimer

American  

[duhl-suh-mer] / ˈdʌl sə mər /

noun

1. Also called hammer dulcimer.  Also called hammered dulcimer;.  a trapezoidal zither with metal strings that are struck with light hammers.

2. Appalachian dulcimer.

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dulcimer British  

/ ˈdʌlsɪmə /

noun

1. a tuned percussion instrument consisting of a set of strings of graduated length stretched over a sounding board and struck with a pair of hammers

2. an instrument used in US folk music, consisting of an elliptical body, a fretted fingerboard, and usually three strings plucked with a goose quill

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Etymology

Origin of dulcimer

First recorded in 1560–70; alteration of Middle English dowcemere, from Middle French doulcemer, dissimilated variant of doulcemele, from Old Italian dolcimelo, dolzemele, from Latin dulce melos “sweet song”; see dulcet, melic

Explanation

A dulcimer is a stringed instrument used mainly in American folk music. It has three strings, and a fretted fingerboard like a guitar. Like a banjo, the dulcimer is a stringed instrument which is played like a guitar, with a pick or your fingers. Like a guitar, the strings are strummed with one hand while the strings are held down with the other hand on a fretted fingerboard. The dulcimer has an elliptical shape that's very distinctive. There is also a type of dulcimer played by striking it with little hammers. Both kinds of dulcimers make a light, sweet sound.