Cittern \Cit"tern\, n. [L. cithara, Gr. ?. Cf. Cithara, Gittern.]

(Mus.) An instrument shaped like a lute, but strung with wire and played with a quill or plectrum. [Written also cithern.]

--Shak.

Note: Not to be confounded with zither.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)