cittern
Noun: 1. A 16th-century stringed musical instrument: A cittern is a historical plucked string instrument popular during the Renaissance. It is characterized by a flat back, a pear-shaped body (soundbox), and typically has wire strings arranged in courses (pairs). It is a precursor to instruments like the modern guitar and mandolin.
The word "cittern" is used to refer specifically to this historical instrument. It is a countable noun. * The musician expertly tuned the cittern before the performance. * Renaissance fairs often feature musicians playing the cittern. * Several beautiful citterns are displayed in the museum's musical instrument collection.
- Historical Context: The cittern was primarily used for popular and dance music in the 16th and 17th centuries, distinct from the more aristocratic lute.
- Construction: Descriptions often highlight its "wire strings" and "pear-shaped" body to distinguish it from other period instruments.
- Cithern: An alternative, less common spelling for "cittern."
- Citole: An earlier medieval instrument considered an ancestor of the cittern.
- English Guitar: A later 18th-century instrument that evolved from the cittern.
- Historical string instrument: A general descriptive term.
- Renaissance guitar: A modern descriptive term highlighting its period and form, though not a precise technical synonym.
There is no direct antonym for a specific instrument. In a broad sense, unrelated instrument types like drum or wind instrument serve as conceptual opposites.
There are no common idioms or phrasal verbs specifically using the word "cittern."
- a 16th century musical instrument resembling a guitar with a pear-shaped soundbox and wire strings