LATIN DICTIONARYLexicon Latīnum
noun · neutersecond declension

plēctrum

plēctrum n (genitive plēctrī)
Classical[ˈpɫeːk.trũː]Ecclesiastical[ˈplɛk.trum]

Meaning

  1. a plectrum; tool for playing a stringed instrument
  2. a lyre, lute

Declension

declension
formsingularplural
nominativeplēctrumplēctra
genitiveplēctrīplēctrōrum
dativeplēctrōplēctrīs
accusativeplēctrumplēctra
ablativeplēctrōplēctrīs
vocativeplēctrumplēctra

plēctrum, i, n., = πλῆκτρον (an instrument to strike with; esp.),
I. A little stick with which the player struck the chords of a stringed instrument, a quill, plectrum: itaque plectri similem linguam nostri solent dicere, chordarum dentis, naris cornibus illis qui resonant, etc., Cic. N. D. 2, 59, 149; Ov. M. 11, 168: plectra movere, id. H. 3, 113.—
B. Poet., transf., a lyre or lute; also a lyric poem, lyric poetry: plectro modulatus eburno, Tib. 3, 4, 39: et te sonantem plenius aureo, Alcaee, plectro, Hor. C. 2, 13, 26; 2, 1, 40; 1, 26, 11.—
II. A helm, rudder (poet.): non plectro ratis Parcitur, Sil. 14, 549; 403.

Origins

Borrowed from Ancient Greek πλῆκτρον (plêktron), from πλήσσω (plḗssō, “to strike, sting”), also analyzable as plēctō + -trum.

Descendants
  • Englishplectrum
  • Frenchplectre
  • GermanPlektrum
  • Italianplettro
  • Portugueseplectro
  • Spanishplectro

Quick answers

What does plēctrum mean in Latin?
plēctrum, a noun, means “a plectrum; tool for playing a stringed instrument; a lyre, lute”.
What is the genitive of plēctrum?
The genitive singular is plēctrī. plēctrum is neuter, second declension.
How do you pronounce plēctrum?
In classical Latin, [ˈpɫeːk.trũː]; in ecclesiastical (church) Latin, [ˈplɛk.trum].