dulcimer
Americannoun
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Also called hammer dulcimer. Also called hammered dulcimer;. a trapezoidal zither with metal strings that are struck with light hammers.
noun
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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
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an instrument used in US folk music, consisting of an elliptical body, a fretted fingerboard, and usually three strings plucked with a goose quill
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.
Vocabulary lists containing dulcimer
Music to My Ears: Instrumental Vocab
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Musical Instruments - Middle School
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Musical Instruments - High School
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Woody Guthrie asked her at the 1948 “Spring Fever Hootenanny” in New York, according to her book “The Dulcimer People.”
From New York Times • Jan. 3, 2020
As a result, Dulcimer Street is likely to be an eye opener for U.S. readers.
From Time Magazine Archive
Mr. Dulcimer can only counter by saying that marriage means being cut off without a button.
From Time Magazine Archive
Dandy Dulcimer, who is your friend—For God's sake, Sir Thomas, be quiet.
From The Black Baronet; or, The Chronicles Of Ballytrain The Works of William Carleton, Volume One by Carleton, William
Author of the "Dulcimer," of which more than 140,000 copies have been sold.
From Rollo in Holland by Abbott, Jacob
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
