Psaltries

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of stringed musical instrument that produces sound by plucking strings stretched across a frame
2. Often characterized by a trapezoidal shape and played by plucking or strumming the strings with fingers or a plectrum
3. Referring to a family of instruments similar to the zither, utilized in various musical traditions for both solo and ensemble performances

Etymology: The term in question traces back to the medieval era, referring to a class of stringed musical instruments. Its origins lie in the Old French word "psautrie," which itself was borrowed from the Latin "psalterium." The Latin term came from the Greek "psaltērion," the name for a type of harp or lyre. These instruments were commonly used in both secular and sacred music throughout the Middle Ages and Renaissance. "Psaltērion" in Greek is derived from the verb "psallō," meaning "to pluck" or "to play on a stringed instrument." This connection highlights the defining characteristic of the instruments: sound produced by plucking strings rather than bowing or striking. The word thus encapsulates the physical action that creates the music. In English, the plural form surfaced around the 14th century, often spelled as "psaltries" or "psalteries," referring collectively to these plucked instruments. Over time, the term became less common as musical technology and terminology evolved, but it remains a marker of the rich tradition of early stringed instruments that predate the modern guitar and harp families. The shift from a specific instrument to a collective noun illustrates how musical terminology can broaden in scope, encompassing a family of related instruments rather than a singular object. This semantic expansion reflects the diversity of plucked instruments encountered by medieval musicians and chroniclers.

Synonyms: string instruments