plectron

[ plek-tron ]

/ ˈplɛk trɒn /

noun, plural plec·tra [plek-truh] /ˈplɛk trə/.

plectrum.

Words nearby plectron

plebeian, plebiscite, plebs, plecopteran, plectognath, plectron, plectrum, pled, pledge, pledge of allegiance, pledged delegate

Definition for plectra (2 of 2)

plectrum

[ plek-truh m ]

/ ˈplɛk trəm /

noun, plural plec·tra [plek-truh] /ˈplɛk trə/, plec·trums.

a small piece of plastic, metal, ivory, etc., for plucking the strings of a guitar, lyre, mandolin, etc.

Anatomy, Zoology. an anatomical part resembling a plectrum in shape.

Origin of plectrum

1620–30; < Latin plēctrum < Greek plêktron

Example sentences from the Web for plectra

Plectra of leather were also in use, as well as those of quill.

Shakespeare and Music |Edward W. Naylor
The plectra nearest the keyboard points the same way whether the jack is upside down or not.

Italian Harpsichord-Building in the 16th and 17th Centuries |John D. Shortridge
This instrument is quilled with crow quill, the most common material used for plectra at that time.

Harpsichords and Clavichords |Cynthia A. Hoover
In the clavicytherium at the Smithsonian Institution the plectra nearest the keyboard points to the player's left.

Italian Harpsichord-Building in the 16th and 17th Centuries |John D. Shortridge

The direction in which the plectra of each row of jacks should be pointing is not known.

Italian Harpsichord-Building in the 16th and 17th Centuries |John D. Shortridge

British Dictionary definitions for plectra

plectrum

/ (ˈplɛktrəm) /

noun plural -trums or -tra (-trə)

any implement for plucking a string, such as a small piece of plastic, wood, etc, used to strum a guitar, or the quill that plucks the string of a harpsichord

Word Origin for plectrum

C17: from Latin plēctrum quill, plectrum, from Greek plektron, from plessein to strike

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning