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

The following were the names of the instruments: cittern, bagpipe, clarion, rebec, psaltery, syrinx, sackbut, regals, gittern, shalm, timbral, and cymbals!

From From John O'Groats to Land's End by Naylor, Robert

I can only suppose that the author considers that the fact of the gittern and citole being sounded by plucking the strings, brings these instruments into alliance with the harp. 

From Springtime and Other Essays by Darwin, Francis, Sir

Ferne, with a slight laugh, stooped to pick up the fallen gittern.

From Sir Mortimer by Johnston, Mary

At the end of the arbor some one was strumming upon a gittern.

From Master Skylark by Bennett, John

The guitar, which may be considered a descendant of the gittern, is said to have completely eclipsed its ancestor in the seventeenth century. 

From Springtime and Other Essays by Darwin, Francis, Sir