psaltery

noun

psal·tery ˈsäl-t(ə-)rē

ˈsȯl-

variants or less commonly psaltry

plural psalteries also psaltries

: an ancient musical instrument resembling the zither

Etymology

Middle English psalterie, from Anglo-French, from Latin psalterium, from Greek psaltērion, from psallein to play on a stringed instrument

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of psaltery was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

Style

“Psaltery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psaltery. Accessed 30 Dec. 2024.

Copy Citation

psaltery

noun

psal·tery

variants also psaltry

ˈsȯl-t(ə-)rē

plural psalteries also psaltries

: an ancient stringed musical instrument resembling the zither

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