DULCIMER Definition & Meaning

dulcimer

[ duhl-suh-mer ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

Also called hammered dulcimer;. a trapezoidal zither with metal strings that are struck with light hammers.
Appalachian dulcimer ( def ).

dulcimer

/ ˈ��ʌ��ɪ��ə /

noun

a tuned percussion instrument consisting of a set of strings of graduated length stretched over a sounding board and struck with a pair of hammers
an instrument used in US folk music, consisting of an elliptical body, a fretted fingerboard, and usually three strings plucked with a goose quill

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of dulcimer¹

First recorded in 1560–70; alteration of Middle English dowcemere, from Middle French doulcemer, dissimilated variant of doulcemele, from Old Italian dolcimelo, dolzemele, from Latin dulce melos “sweet song”; dulcet, melic

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�y��vlog History and Origins

Origin of dulcimer¹

C15: from Old French doulcemer, from Old Italian dolcimelo, from dolce sweet, from Latin dulcis + -melo, perhaps from Greek melos song

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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The wall with dulcimers from the ’70s, the paintings on the doorways — it was just unbelievable as a huge Joni fan.

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He sticks primarily to keyboards, acoustic guitar and dulcimer.

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Naval Academy’s fight song — on a hammered dulcimer on her lap in hopes that the breeze would somehow carry the melody to the Carters.

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The full story of Brian Jones’s stolen dulcimer can be told.

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By now, this was the most famous dulcimer in Washington, its theft mentioned not only in the Star but, in Mike’s recollection, on local TV, too.

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