Guitarra
/ɡiˈtar.ra/noun
A stringed musical instrument with a fretted neck and a hollow or solid body, played by plucking or strumming.
Did you know?The Greek kithara was associated with Apollo and professional musicians, while its name traveled through Arabic and medieval Europe before becoming guitarra.
Etymological Timeline
2nd Millennium BCE
Ancient Greek
κιθάρα (kithara)
“A large, professional lyre used for musical performance and poetic accompaniment.”
Classical Antiquity
Greek
κιθαρίζειν (kitharizein)
“To play the kithara; the instrument’s name also generated terminology for its musical performance.”
Late Antiquity
Latin
cithara
“A lyre-like stringed instrument, borrowed from Greek kithara.”
Medieval Period
Arabic
قِثَارَة (qīthāra)
“A stringed instrument name inherited or adapted from the Greek and Latin tradition.”
13th Century
Old Spanish
guitarra
“A fretted stringed instrument; the form reflects Arabic qīthāra and related European developments.”
Modern Spanish
Spanish
guitarra
“The modern guitar, a plucked string instrument used in classical, folk, popular, and flamenco music.”