cithara: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Highly formal, academic, poetic
Quick answer
What does “cithara” mean?
An ancient stringed musical instrument of the lyre family, originating in Greece and related to the kithara.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An ancient stringed musical instrument of the lyre family, originating in Greece and related to the kithara.
The term is sometimes used in historical or poetic contexts to refer to classical or antique lyre-like instruments, or as a metaphor for classical music and antiquity.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually no difference. Both varieties use it exclusively in academic, historical, or literary contexts. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British academic writing due to classical tradition.
Connotations
Connotes high classical antiquity, scholarship, and sometimes poetic archaism.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both varieties, limited to specialized fields like classics, musicology, and historical literature.
Grammar
How to Use “cithara” in a Sentence
The <ADJ> cithara was played by...A depiction of a cithara on a <NOUN>...to strum/tune/pluck the citharaVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cithara” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The musician was cithara-ing with great skill. (Note: 'to cithara' is not a standard verb; this is a highly creative, non-standard usage for illustration only.)
American English
- He attempted to cithara a tune, but his technique was lacking. (Note: Same as above – non-standard.)
adverb
British English
- He played cithara-ly, evoking ancient times. (Note: Highly non-standard, poetic coinage.)
American English
- The melody sounded almost cithara-like. (Note: Hyphenated compound adjective, not a pure adverb.)
adjective
British English
- The cithara player took centre stage. (Adj use as noun modifier.)
American English
- They studied cithara music from the Hellenistic period. (Adj use as noun modifier.)
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Not used.
Academic
Used in Classics, Archaeology, Music History, and Ancient History texts. E.g., 'The cithara's role in Greek symposium culture.'
Everyday
Not used.
Technical
Used in organology (study of musical instruments) and historical instrument reconstruction.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cithara”
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cithara”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cithara”
- Misspelling as 'cithra' or 'citharra'.
- Pronouncing the 'c' as /k/ (it is /s/).
- Using it to refer to a modern guitar.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is the name of a specific ancient Greek instrument, a forerunner to many stringed instruments but distinct from the modern guitar.
It is pronounced /ˈsɪθərə/ (SITH-uh-ruh), with a soft 'c' as in 'city', not a hard 'c' as in 'cat'.
A cithara is a specific type of lyre. Generally, the cithara was a larger, more solidly built, professional instrument with a wooden box body, while 'lyre' can refer to simpler, lighter versions.
It would be highly unusual and sound affected unless you are specifically discussing ancient music or classical history. In everyday talk, 'lyre' or 'ancient harp' would be more readily understood.
An ancient stringed musical instrument of the lyre family, originating in Greece and related to the kithara.
Cithara is usually highly formal, academic, poetic in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None in common usage. Historical/poetic: 'Apollo's cithara' might refer to divine music or harmony.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
CITHARA sounds like 'sith' (archaic) and 'harp-a' – think of Darth Vader playing an ancient harp (a silly but memorable image).
Conceptual Metaphor
THE PAST IS A FOREIGN COUNTRY (it uses a foreign, archaic word). CLASSICAL ART IS ELEVATED.
Practice
Quiz
In which context would you most likely encounter the word 'cithara'?