gittern

American  

[git-ern] / ˈgɪt ərn /

noun

1. cittern.

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gittern British  

/ ˈɡɪtɜːn /

noun

1. music an obsolete medieval stringed instrument resembling the guitar Compare cittern

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Etymology

Origin of gittern

C14: from Old French guiterne, ultimately from Old Spanish guitarra _guitar ; see _cittern

Example Sentences

A viol overhead took up the time, the gittern struck a few sharp notes.

From Master Skylark by Bennett, John

"Nay, my lord, rather let me try the gittern," she said.

From Historic Boys Their Endeavours, Their Achievements, and Their Times by Brooks, Elbridge Streeter

The three witnesses of the challenge sprang to their feet, the gittern falling from Sedley's hands, and Sir John's papers fluttering to the floor.

From Sir Mortimer by Johnston, Mary

Give me thy gittern, Isa," said the boy, a ruddy-faced youth, with gray eyes and auburn hair; "let me play the air that Réné, the troubadour, taught me yesterday.

From Historic Boys Their Endeavours, Their Achievements, and Their Times by Brooks, Elbridge Streeter

It was the practice, as we have said, when a customer was waiting for his turn in a barber's shop to pass his time playing on the gittern.

From At the Sign of the Barber's Pole Studies In Hirsute History by Andrews, William