Cittern (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 cittern was a popular instrument in the Renaissance period, often used in ensembles and as a solo instrument.
- During a performance of a 16th-century madrigal, a cittern player accompanied the singers with intricate and elegant arpeggios.
- In the 16th century, luthiers crafted citterns with varying numbers of courses, each producing a distinct sound and style.
- A cittern typically had four courses of wire strings, offering a bright and clear timbre suited to playing lively dance tunes.
- The cittern's flat, fretted neck and wire strings made it an ideal instrument for rapid, intricate passagework.