Definition

1. Noun:
   • A trapezoidal zither with metal strings that are struck with light hammers: A musical instrument consisting of a shallow, trapezoidal wooden box with strings stretched across it, played by striking the strings with small, handheld hammers.
   • A stringed instrument used in American folk music; has an elliptical body, a fretted fingerboard, and three strings: A specific type of Appalachian folk instrument, also called a "mountain dulcimer" or "lap dulcimer," which is typically plucked or strummed.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The musician played a beautiful melody on the hammered dulcimer.
  • She learned to play traditional folk songs on the Appalachian dulcimer.

Advanced Usage

• "Hammered dulcimer": Refers specifically to the trapezoidal, struck-string instrument, often associated with European and Middle Eastern music traditions.
  • The hammered dulcimer's bright, percussive sound filled the concert hall.
• "Appalachian dulcimer" or "mountain dulcimer": Refers specifically to the American folk instrument, which is plucked and held on the lap.
  • The Appalachian dulcimer is known for its gentle, drone-like sound.

Variants and Related Words

• Dulcimerist (n): A person who plays the dulcimer.
  • The festival featured a renowned dulcimerist.

Synonyms

• Zither (for the hammered type): A class of stringed instruments with a flat soundbox, of which the hammered dulcimer is a specific kind.
• Lap harp (informal for the Appalachian type): A colloquial term sometimes used for the mountain dulcimer due to its playing position and harp-like sound.

Related Idioms or Phrases

(This word is highly specific to musical contexts and does not commonly appear in idioms or phrasal verbs.)

Noun

1. a trapezoidal zither whose metal strings are struck with light hammers
2. a stringed instrument used in American folk music; an elliptical body and a fretted fingerboard and three strings