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plectrum
[ plek-truhm ]
/ ˈplɛk trəm /
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noun, plural plec·tra [plek-truh], /ˈplɛk trə/, plec·trums.
a small piece of plastic, metal, ivory, etc., for plucking the strings of a guitar, lyre, mandolin, etc.
Anatomy, Zoology. an anatomical part resembling a plectrum in shape.
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Origin of plectrum
1620–30; <Latin plēctrum<Greek plêktron
Words nearby plectrum
plebiscite, plebs, plecopteran, plectognath, plectron, plectrum, pled, pledge, pledged delegate, pledgee, Pledge of Allegiance
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use plectrum in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for plectrum
plectrum
/ (ˈplɛktrəm) /
noun plural -trums or -tra (-trÉ™)
any implement for plucking a string, such as a small piece of plastic, wood, etc, used to strum a guitar, or the quill that plucks the string of a harpsichord
Word Origin for plectrum
C17: from Latin plēctrum quill, plectrum, from Greek plektron, from plessein to strike
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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