Meaning & Definition of word "Zither"

Zither

/ˈzɪðər/

1. A musical instrument with strings stretched across a frame, played by plucking or strumming.
- Example: She played a beautiful melody on her zither, captivating everyone in the room.
2. A type of stringed instrument originating from Asia and Europe, often used in folk music.
- Example: The zither is commonly associated with the traditional music of Austria and Hungary.
3. A specific style of zither used in Chinese music, often having a more pronounced tone.
- Example: The performer skillfully manipulated the strings of the guzheng, a traditional Chinese zither.
4. An instrument with a flat wooden body and across which wires are strung, primarily played in a horizontal position.
- Example: He prefers the sound of the zither to that of other stringed instruments in his folk band.
5. A versatile instrument used in various music genres, including classical and popular music.
- Example: In the film score, the zither added a unique texture that complemented the main theme.

The word 'zither' comes from the German 'Zither', borrowed from the Latin 'cithara', which in turn comes from the Greek 'kithara'.

playing the zither:

Performing music on a zither.

zither music:

Music that prominently features the zither.

harp:

A large stringed instrument that is played by plucking.

guitar:

A stringed instrument played by plucking or strumming.

Meaning: A reference to playing music in a relaxed gathering, often used informally.

Example Sentence: Let's have a zither night at my place.

Meaning: Used to denote an old-fashioned style of music.

Example Sentence: That tune feels so zither-ish, like something from the past.