Pŏl'y-plēc'trum, n.

n. [Gr. πολὺς, many, and πλῆκτρον, an instrument for striking the lyre.] (Mus.) A musical instrument formerly in use, said to have been invented by Guido;—so called because its tones were produced by the friction of numerous slips of leather acting upon strings, and moved by pressing or striking keys, as in the piano-forte.