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

Words nearby plectrum

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

Example sentences from the Web for plectrum

British Dictionary definitions for plectrum

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