Zither vs. Cither — What's the Difference?

Zither (; German: [ˈtsɪtɐ], from the Greek word cithara) is a class of stringed instruments. Historically, the name has been applied to any instrument of the psaltery family, or to an instrument consisting of many strings stretched across a thin, flat body.

A cittern.

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.

Alternative form of cittern

(music) A musical instrument consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings placed on a horizontal surface, played with a plectrum or fingertips.

A musical instrument resembling a harp with strings stretch over a flat sounding box; the zither. It is played with a plectrum and with fingers.

Related or similar instruments in other cultures, such as the Chinese guqin or Norwegian harpeleik; especially any chordophone without a neck, and with strings that pass over the body.

A musical stringed instrument with strings stretch over a flat sounding box; it is laid flat and played with a plectrum and with fingers

To play a zither.

A 16th century musical instrument resembling a guitar with a pear-shaped soundbox and wire strings

To make a sound similar to that made by a zither; to move while making such a sound.

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 cittern, or cithern.]

A musical stringed instrument with strings stretch over a flat sounding box; it is laid flat and played with a plectrum and with fingers