Cithern (Noun)
Meaning
A 16th century musical instrument resembling a guitar with a pear-shaped soundbox and wire strings.
Classification
Nouns denoting man-made objects.
Examples
- The cithern was a popular instrument in 16th-century England and was often featured in Elizabethan-era ensembles.
- As the musician delicately tuned the cithern's wire strings, the audience awaited the lively performance of the evening.
- During his extensive travels, the lutenist discovered an antique cithern that greatly influenced his new compositions.
- In contrast to the lute, the cithern had a distinctive pear-shaped body that produced rich tones.
- For centuries, the skilled craftsmen in the region took great pride in handcrafting intricate citherns adorned with ornate carvings.