PSALTERIA Meaning and
Definition
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Psalteria is a noun that refers to a musical instrument of ancient origins, typically played by plucking the strings. Derived from the Latin word "psalterium," which means a "stringed instrument," the term Psalteria commonly denotes a since-discontinued instrument that played a crucial role in medieval music.
The Psalteria belongs to a family of instruments known as zithers, and its construction is characterized by a flat soundboard onto which strings are stretched or plucked, producing sound. Its design can vary across regions and eras, but it often consists of strings that run parallel to the soundboard, which may be made of wood or metal.
In terms of musical significance, the Psalteria was widely utilized in Christian liturgical music during medieval times. It was included in the traditional ensemble that accompanied the singing of Psalms in churches and monasteries. Its rich, resonant tones contributed to creating a reverential atmosphere, which enhanced the spiritual experience of worshippers.
Today, the term Psalteria is also sometimes used to describe a subset of stringed instruments such as hammered dulcimers or other variants of the zither. However, it predominantly refers to the historical instrument that played a significant role in the development of Christian music. Despite being less prominent in modern musical contexts, the Psalteria still holds historical and cultural significance as a representation of ancient musical traditions.
Common Misspellings for PSALTERIA
- osalteria
- lsalteria
- -salteria
- 0salteria
- paalteria
- pzalteria
- pxalteria
- pdalteria
- pealteria
- pwalteria
- pszlteria
- psslteria
- pswlteria
- psqlteria
- psakteria
- psapteria
- psaoteria
- psalreria
- psalferia
- psalgeria
Etymology of PSALTERIA
The word "Psalteria" has its etymological roots in the Greek word "psaltes", which means "player of stringed instruments" or "singer of hymns". It derives from the verb "psallo", meaning "to pluck" or "to play on a stringed instrument". In ancient Greece, "psaltes" referred to a musician who played the lyre, a stringed instrument similar to a harp.
Over time, the term "psaltes" was adopted by early Christians to refer to those who chanted or sang the psalms during religious services. In Latin, it evolved into "psaltes" or "psalterium", which eventually led to the English term "Psalter". The Psalter refers to the Book of Psalms in the Bible, a collection of hymns and prayers that were traditionally sung or chanted during worship.
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