Dulcet vs. Dulcimer — What's the Difference?

Pleasing to the ear; melodious.

The word dulcimer refers to two types of musical string instruments.

Having a soothing, agreeable quality.

A musical instrument with a sounding board or box, typically trapezoid in shape, over which strings of graduated length are stretched, played by plucking or especially by being struck with handheld hammers. The term hammered dulcimer is sometimes used, especially in the US, to distinguish these from plucked instruments such as the Appalachian dulcimer.

(Archaic) Sweet to the taste.

A narrow, often hourglass-shaped stringed instrument having three or four strings and a fretted fingerboard, typically held flat across the knees while sitting and played by plucking or strumming. Also called Appalachian dulcimer, mountain dulcimer.

Sweet, especially when describing voice or tones; melodious.

The hammered dulcimer.

Generally pleasing; agreeable.

A stringed instrument, with strings stretched across a sounding board, usually trapezoidal, played by plucking on the strings (traditionally with a quill) or by tapping on them (in the case of the hammer dulcimers).

(archaic) Sweet to the taste.

An instrument, having stretched metallic wires which are beaten with two light hammers held in the hands of the performer.

Sweet to the taste; luscious.

A stringed instrument used in American folk music; an elliptical body and a fretted fingerboard and three strings

Sweet to the ear; melodious; harmonious.

A trapezoidal zither whose metal strings are struck with light hammers

Extremely pleasant in a gentle way;

Pleasing to the ear;