guitar
UK[ɡɪˈtɑː]US[ɡɪˈtɑːr]
n
a musical instrument with strings, a long neck, and a flat body with a curved shape, which you play by pulling or hitting the strings
Etymology
the word "guitar" entered english in the early 17th century from the spanish word "guitarra." this spanish term was itself derived from the andalusian arabic "qītārah," which can be traced back to the latin "cithara," a stringed instrument of ancient greece and rome. the latin "cithara" originates from the ancient greek "kithára." the journey of this word, following the instrument's evolution from the ancient lyre-like kithara through its medieval development in the islamic world and iberian peninsula, illustrates a direct path of cultural borrowing. the modern meaning remains closely tied to its historical referent, a plucked string instrument.
Analysis
the word "guitar" is a simplex loanword. it does not contain separable morphemes within its modern english spelling.
Examples
she learned to play the guitar when she was ten years old.
the acoustic guitar has a warm, mellow sound.
he strummed a few chords on his electric guitar.