dulcimer

American  

[duhl-suh-mer] / ˈdʌl sə mər /

noun

1. Also called hammer dulcimer.  Also called hammered dulcimer;.  a trapezoidal zither with metal strings that are struck with light hammers.

2. Appalachian dulcimer.

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dulcimer British  

/ 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

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Etymology

Origin of dulcimer

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

Example Sentences

It's named after the Farsi word for "my darling" and features an ear-tingling riff on the santur - a hammered dulcimer of Iranian origin.

From BBC

The wall with dulcimers from the ’70s, the paintings on the doorways — it was just unbelievable as a huge Joni fan.

From Los Angeles Times

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

Eddie would hand over the dulcimer if Ron promised to write about their Beatles prank, if it proved successful.

From Washington Post