mandolin
n. countablen. a small musical instrument with eight strings that you play with a pick. It looks like a small violin and is common in folk and classical music.
n. a small stringed musical instrument with a fretted neck and a wooden body, typically having four double strings. It is played with a plectrum and is common in folk, classical, and jazz traditions.
He plays a beautiful melody on his mandolin.
The folk band added a mandolin to their lineup to give the traditional songs a brighter, more rhythmic sound.
While often associated with Italian folk music, the mandolin has found a significant place in bluegrass and classical ensembles, where its bright, percussive timbre provides a distinct rhythmic drive.
From French mandoline, from Italian mandolino, diminutive of mandola, a large stringed instrument.