guitar

English

/ɡɪˈtɑː(ɹ)/, /ɡɪˈtɑɹ/, /ˈɡɪ.tɑɹ/, /ɡiˈtɑɹ/, /ɡʌˈtɑɹ/

noun
Definitions
  • (musical instrument) A stringed musical instrument, of European origin, usually with a fretted fingerboard and six strings, played with the fingers or a plectrum (guitar pick).
  • (musical instrument) Any type of musical instrument of the lute family, characterized by a flat back, along with a neck whose upper surface is in the same plane as the soundboard, with strings along the neck and parallel to the soundboard.

Etymology

Derived from Spanish, Castilian guitarra (guitar) derived from Arabic قِيثَارَة derived from Latin cithara (cithara, lyre, cithern, guitar, lute) derived from Ancient Greek κιθάρα (kind of harp, lyre, a kind of harp, kithara).

Origin

Ancient Greek

κιθάρα

Gloss

kind of harp, lyre, a kind of harp, kithara

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms