1. A musical instrument composed of a flat sound box with about 30 to 40 strings stretched over it and played horizontally with the fingertips, a plectrum, or a bow, or set into vibration by the wind, as in the aeolian harp.

1. A musical instrument consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings, placed on a horizontal surface, and played with a plectrum and fingertips; similar to a dulcimer. in the norwegian harpeleik and swedish cittra versions, the instrument is considered a chorded zither and usually has 7 (norwegian) to 9 (swedish) chords, some with as many as 11 strings each, which are mostly strummed and damped as chords, although sometimes plucked. the norwegian harpeleik and swedish cittra are still in production by a german manufacturer.

1. an instrument of music used in austria and germany. it has from thirty to forty wires strung across a shallow sounding-board, which lies horizontally on a table before the performer, who uses both hands in playing on it. [not to be confounded with the old lute-shaped

1. same as cithern.

1. a musical stringed instrument with strings stretched over a flat sounding board; it is laid flat and played with a plectrum and with fingers