psaltery

noun

psal·​tery ˈsäl-t(É™-)rÄ“ How to pronounce psaltery (audio)
ˈsȯl-
variants or less commonly psaltry
plural psalteries also psaltries
: an ancient musical instrument resembling the zither

Word History

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

Dictionary Entries Near psaltery

psalterium

psaltery

psaltress

See More Nearby Entries 

Cite this Entry

“Psaltery.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/psaltery. Accessed 5 Jan. 2025.

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Kids Definition

psaltery

noun
psal·​tery
variants also psaltry
ˈsȯl-t(É™-)rÄ“ How to pronounce psaltery (audio)
plural psalteries also psaltries
: an ancient stringed musical instrument resembling the zither

More from Merriam-Webster on psaltery

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about psaltery

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