dulcimer

[ duhl-suh-mer ]

noun

1. Also called hammered dulcimer;. a trapezoidal zither with metal strings that are struck with light hammers.
2. Appalachian dulcimer ( def ).

dulcimer

/ ˈdʌlsɪmə /

noun

1. a tuned percussion instrument consisting of a set of strings of graduated length stretched over a sounding board and struck with a pair of hammers
2. an instrument used in US folk music, consisting of an elliptical body, a fretted fingerboard, and usually three strings plucked with a goose quill

Word History and Origins

Origin of dulcimer¹

First recorded in 1560–70; alteration of Middle English dowcemere, from Middle French doulcemer, dissimilated variant of doulcemele, from Old Italian dolcimelo, dolzemele, from Latin dulce melos “sweet song”; dulcet, melic

Word History and Origins

Origin of dulcimer¹

C15: from Old French doulcemer, from Old Italian dolcimelo, from dolce sweet, from Latin dulcis + -melo, perhaps from Greek melos song

Example Sentences

He sticks primarily to keyboards, acoustic guitar and dulcimer.

From Seattle Times

Naval Academy’s fight song — on a hammered dulcimer on her lap in hopes that the breeze would somehow carry the melody to the Carters.

From Seattle Times

The full story of Brian Jones’s stolen dulcimer can be told.

From Washington Post

By now, this was the most famous dulcimer in Washington, its theft mentioned not only in the Star but, in Mike’s recollection, on local TV, too.

From Washington Post

Magical Strings celebrates 44 years of annual Celtic yuletide concerts throughout the Northwest with concerts of dulcimers, concertina, accordion and more accompanied by the violin, cello, whistles, harmonium and harp.

From Seattle Times