Kithra
/ˈkɪθ.rə/noun
A variant spelling of kithara, an ancient Greek stringed instrument resembling a lyre.
Did you know?The kithara was especially associated with Apollo and professional musicians, while the simpler lyre was more commonly used for education and informal performance.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Classical Antiquity
Pre-Greek
*kithar-
“A probable pre-Greek or eastern Mediterranean name for a stringed instrument; the ultimate origin is uncertain.”
5th Century BCE
Ancient Greek
κιθάρα (kithára)
“A professional stringed instrument with a resonating box and several strings.”
1st Century BCE–1st Century CE
Latin
cithara
“A lyre-like stringed instrument, borrowed from Greek.”
Medieval Period
Old Spanish
guitarra
“A guitar-like stringed instrument; descended through Arabic and Romance forms ultimately linked to Greek kithara.”
16th Century
English
guitar
“A fretted stringed instrument, adopted from Spanish guitarra.”
Modern English
English
kithra
“A scholarly or variant transliteration of Greek kithara.”