psaltery

[ sawl-tuh-ree ]

noun

, plural psal·ter·ies.

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

/ ˈsɔːltərɪ /

noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of psaltery¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of psaltery¹

Old English: see Psalter

Example Sentences

The flute and the psaltery make a sweet melody, but a pleasant tongue is above them both.

From Project Gutenberg

Psal′tery, a stringed instrument used by the Jews: psalter; Psal′tress, a woman who plays upon the psaltery.

From Project Gutenberg

It was in a Psaltery on which a hundred years before some Flemish monk had lavished his gold and vermilion.

From Project Gutenberg

A psaltery, made by Thomas Perry, in Dublin, second half of eighteenth century.

From Project Gutenberg

With his glance upon the psaltery stick, a dim notion of accounting filtered curiously into his mind and became obsessional.

From Project Gutenberg