plectrum

views updated May 21 2018

plec·trum / ˈplektrəm/ • n. (pl. -trums or -tra / -trə/ ) a thin flat piece of plastic, tortoiseshell, or other slightly flexible material held by or worn on the fingers and used to pluck the strings of a musical instrument such as a guitar. ∎  the corresponding mechanical part that plucks the strings of an instrument such as a harpsichord.

The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English

plectrum

views updated May 11 2018

plectrum. Small thin piece of horn, wood, tortoiseshell, metal, ivory, or other material used to pluck the str. of certain str. instrs. such as zither, mandolin, lyre, lute, banjo, etc. On the hpd. it is a part of the mechanism.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Music MICHAEL KENNEDY and JOYCE BOURNE

plectrum

views updated May 17 2018

plectrum XVII. — L. plēctrum — Gr. plêktron, f. plḗssein strike.

The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology T. F. HOAD

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

plectrum

All Sources -
Updated Aug 08 2016 About encyclopedia.com content Print Topic

You Might Also Like