Plectrum
/ˈplɛktrəm/noun
A small tool used to pluck or strike the strings of a musical instrument.
Did you know?Ancient Greek plēktron could mean a spur or any instrument for striking, before becoming the specialized pick used with stringed instruments.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*plāk-
“To strike or beat”
Ancient Greek
Greek
plēssō (πλήσσω)
“I strike or beat”
Ancient Greek
Greek
plēktron (πλῆκτρον)
“An instrument for striking; a plectrum or spur”
Classical Latin
Latin
plectrum
“A pick used to play a lyre or other stringed instrument”
16th Century
English
plectrum
“A tool for plucking or striking musical strings”
Modern English
English
plectrum
“A small pick used to play stringed instruments”