plectrum

[plek-truhm]

noun

plural

plectra, plectrums 

1. a small piece of plastic, metal, ivory, etc., for plucking the strings of a guitar, lyre, mandolin, etc.

2. Anatomy, Zoology.,  an anatomical part resembling a plectrum in shape.

plectrum

/ ˈplɛktrəm /

noun

1. 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 History and Origins

Origin of plectrum¹

1620–30; < Latin plēctrum < Greek plêktron

Word History and Origins

Origin of plectrum¹

C17: from Latin plēctrum quill, plectrum, from Greek plektron, from plessein to strike

Example Sentences

"I was always very clumsy with a plectrum," they say.

Read more on BBC

“There were certain songs on the guitar I just couldn’t play, and my plectrum was getting stuck in the strings, so that was a bit of a red flag,” he says.

Read more on BBC

In the BBC interview, the singer-songwriter said he first suspected something wasn't right when he began having trouble grasping his guitar plectrum.

Read more on BBC

Bobby Zamora came on recently and I have actually got a plectrum signed by him now - I can tell you that is officially the only one in existence.

Read more on BBC

As well as innovative collaborations he also created his own plectrums using dentist's acrylic and sometimes plucking his guitar's strings with objects such as pebbles and shells.

Read more on BBC