Definition of zither Zither

/zɪˈðɚ/ - [zither] - zith•er

We found 5 definitions of zither from 5 different sources.

What does zither mean?

Noun Plural: zithers
zither - a musical stringed instrument with strings stretched over a flat sounding board; it is laid flat and played with a plectrum and with fingers
		cither, zithern
		stringed instrument a musical instrument in which taut strings provide the source of sound

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zither (Noun)
A musical instrument consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings, placed on a horizontal surface, and played with a plectrum and fingertips; similar to a dulcimer. In the Norwegian harpeleik and Swedish cittra versions, the instrument is considered a chorded zither and usually has 7 Norwegian to 9 Swedish chords, some with as many as 11 strings each, which are mostly strummed and damped as chords, although sometimes plucked. The Norwegian harpeleik and Swedish cittra are still in production by a German manufacturer.

zither (n.)
An instrument of music used in Austria and Germany. It has from thirty to forty wires strung across a shallow sounding-board, which lies horizontally on a table before the performer, who uses both hands in playing on it. [Not to be confounded with the old lute-shaped cittern, or cithern.]