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

Once, he had carried Robin to another part of the monastery, and showed him where records of everyday living were written and poems and psalteries copied.

From Literature

Thus did I fulfil my vow, and we brought you up to read the scripture, and sweetly did you sing to the psaltery.

From Project Gutenberg

What, false knave, did I buy thee a fire new psaltery to be minded o' my latter end withal?

From Project Gutenberg

Among the Russians, the gusli is an instrument of a different type, a kind of psaltery having five or more strings stretched across a flat, shallow sound-chest in the shape of a wing.

From Project Gutenberg

Or else the seraphim would call: "Minstrels, your dulcimers let fall And break the silvern psalteries!"

From Project Gutenberg