dulcimer

[ duhl-suh-mer ]

noun

1. Also called hammered dulcimer;. a trapezoidal zither with metal strings that are struck with light hammers.
2. Appalachian dulcimer ( def ).

dulcimer

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of dulcimer¹

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”; dulcet, melic

Word History and Origins

Origin of dulcimer¹

C15: from Old French doulcemer, from Old Italian dolcimelo, from dolce sweet, from Latin dulcis + -melo, perhaps from Greek melos song

Example Sentences

In his introduction Wolcott admits to “going soft” lately, to “becoming a more loving, caring, dulcimer-strumming individual.”

From The Daily Beast

You'll hear a marimba and dulcimer every so often in this crescendoing collection of stellar four-part harmonies.

From The Daily Beast

From the cartoon: the figure playing the dulcimer is underneath the manger, above which is seated the Virgin and Child.

From Project Gutenberg

An Italian dulcimer of wood carved and gilt, dating from the seventeenth century.

From Project Gutenberg

Koto, a kind of dulcimer, from Japan, with silken strings and movable bridges.

From Project Gutenberg

Yang-kin, Chinese dulcimer, with two little sticks or wooden hammers of a rather peculiar shape.

From Project Gutenberg

He carries a silverstringed inlaid dulcimer and a longstemmed bamboo Jacob's pipe, its clay bowl fashioned as a female head.

From Project Gutenberg