dulcimer Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun a stringed instrument used in American folk music; an elliptical body and a fretted fingerboard and three strings
  2. noun a trapezoidal zither whose metal strings are struck with light hammers

WordNet

Dul"ci*mer noun
Etymology
It. dolcemele,r Sp. dulcemele, fr. L. dulcis sweet + melos song, melody, Gr. cf. OF. doulcemele. See Dulcet, and Melody.
Definitions
  1. (Mus.) (a) An instrument, having stretched metallic wires which are beaten with two light hammers held in the hands of the performer. (b) An ancient musical instrument in use among the Jews. Dan. iii. 5. It is supposed to be the same with the psaltery.

Webster 1913