Meaning & use

qanun

noun·Advanced

A Middle Eastern stringed instrument, a flat plucked zither with many strings, played resting on the lap or a table.

See it in a sentence

The qanun player plucked the strings rapidly while the singer began the traditional melody.

A qanun has dozens of strings tuned with small levers that adjust each note's pitch.

A note on using this word

The qanun is central to classical Arabic, Turkish, and Persian music ensembles and is played with plectrums worn on the fingers.

Words with a similar meaning

zither

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