Psalterium
/sælˈtɪəri.əm/noun
A psalterium is an ancient stringed instrument, or in some contexts a psalter or book of Psalms.
Did you know?Psalterium comes from Greek psaltḗrion, tied to psállein, meaning “to pluck” a string—so the word’s oldest magic is literally a plucked vibration.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ψαλτήριον (psaltḗrion)
“A stringed instrument played by plucking; later, a book of psalms in ecclesiastical usage.”
Late Latin
Latin
psalterium
“A psaltery; also the Psalter, the book of Psalms.”
Old French
Old French
psaltier / psaltere
“A psaltery; a Psalter.”
Middle English
English
psalterie / psalterium
“A psaltery, especially a medieval stringed instrument.”
Modern English
English
psalterium
“A rare learned term for a psaltery or Psalter.”
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