mandolin

[ man-dl-in, man-dl-in ]

noun

1. a musical instrument with a pear-shaped wooden body and a fretted neck.

mandolin

/ ˌmændəˈlɪn /

noun

1. a plucked stringed instrument related to the lute, having four pairs of strings tuned in ascending fifths stretched over a small light body with a fretted fingerboard. It is usually played with a plectrum, long notes being sustained by the tremolo
2. a vegetable slicer consisting of a flat stainless-steel frame with adjustable cutting blades

Derived Forms

• ˌmandoˈlinist, noun

Other Words From

• mando·linist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandolin¹

1700–10; < Italian mandolino, diminutive of mandola, variant of mandora, alteration of pandora bandore

Word History and Origins

Origin of mandolin¹

C18: via French from Italian mandolino, diminutive of mandora lute, ultimately from Greek pandoura musical instrument with three strings

Example Sentences

Stipe now enunciated his lyrics, which shaded into social commentary, while the arrangements drew from a palette that included string sections, mandolins and an increasing reliance on Mills’ textured keyboard parts.

From Los Angeles Times

However, Nickel Creek consists of four truly exceptional musicians, and three of them are singing complex harmonies while shredding on mandolin, violin and guitar, respectively.

From Los Angeles Times

Bratton also brought his music to the show, always carrying a guitar or mandolin.

From Los Angeles Times

The new material introduced a more mature, rootsy sound for 26-year-old, whose nimble acoustic guitar playing was supplemented by double bass, mandolin and violin.

From BBC

“I just loved it. I loved the music, I loved the tempos of the mandolin and ... I loved the fiddles, too,” Williams says.

From Los Angeles Times