First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
dulcimer
noun dul·ci·mer \ˈdəl-sə-mər\
: a flat musical instrument that has strings stretched across it and is played with two light hammers
: an instrument used in American folk music that has three or four strings, is held on the lap, and is played with the fingers, a pick, or a small stick
Full Definition of DULCIMER
1
: a stringed instrument of trapezoidal shape played with light hammers held in the hands
2
or dul·ci·more \-ˌmȯr\ : an American folk instrument with three or four strings stretched over an elongate fretted sound box that is held on the lap and played by plucking or strumming
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Origin of DULCIMER
Middle English dowcemere, from Middle French doulcemer, from Old Italian dolcimelo, from dolce sweet, from Latin dulcis
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