psaltery

American  

[sawl-tuh-ree] / ˈsɔl tə ri /

noun

plural

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. (initial capital letter) the Psalter.

---

psaltery British  

/ ˈsɔːltərɪ /

noun

1. music an ancient stringed instrument similar to the lyre, but having a trapezoidal sounding board over which the strings are stretched

---

Etymology

Origin of psaltery

1300–50; Middle English sautrie < Middle French sauter(i)e < Late Latin psaltērium; see Psalter

Example Sentences

But the Psaltery was a great stride forward.

From The Atlantic Monthly, Volume 20, No. 117, July, 1867. by Various

Take a Psalm, and bring hither the Timbrel, the pleasant Harp with the Psaltery, blow up the Trumpet in the New Moon, in the Time appointed on our solemn Feast-Day, &c.

From A Short Essay Toward the Improvement of Psalmody Or, An Enquiry How the Psalms of David Ought to Be Translated into Christian Songs, and How Lawful and Necessary It Is to Compose Other Hymns According to the Clearer Revelations of the Gospel, for the Use of the Christian Church. by Watts, Isaac

Don’t you think she knew her Psaltery by heart, and a great part of the Testament besides?

From Journeys Through Bookland, Vol. 8 by Sylvester, Charles Herbert

Awake Psaltery and Harp, I my self will awake early.

From A Short Essay Toward the Improvement of Psalmody Or, An Enquiry How the Psalms of David Ought to Be Translated into Christian Songs, and How Lawful and Necessary It Is to Compose Other Hymns According to the Clearer Revelations of the Gospel, for the Use of the Christian Church. by Watts, Isaac

The Christ Church Psaltery, about 1370, has musical notation and is exquisitely illuminated.

From The Glories of Ireland by Lennox, P. J.