Cittern

Cit″tern (?), n. [L. cithara, Gr. κιθάρα. Cf. Cithara, Gittern.] (Mus.) An instrument shaped like a lute, but strung with wire and played with a quill or plectrum. [Written also cithern.] Shak.

☞ Not to be confounded with zither.