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

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

Kids Definition

psaltery

noun

psal·​tery

variants also psaltry

ˈsȯl-t(ə-)rē 

plural psalteries also psaltries

: an ancient stringed musical instrument resembling the zither