# psalter

> English word · Noun · IPA /ˈsɔːltə(ɹ)/ · frequency rank #57,648

## Definitions
1. Synonym of Psalms, particularly when printed as a separate work from the Bible.
2. Synonym of breviary, which arranges the Psalms for devotional recitation.
3. Synonym of Book of Common Prayer, which prominently includes the Psalms.
4. A rosary with 150 beads, used for reciting the Psalms in Catholic editions of the Bible.
5. Alternative form of psaltery, a kind of zither as well as the King James translation of certain obscure musical terms in the Old Testament.

## Etymology
From Middle English psauter & sauter, from Old French psautier & saltier, from Latin psalterium (“a kind of lute or zither”), from Ancient Greek ψᾰλτήρῐον (psăltḗrĭon, “harp”). Doublet of psalterion, psalterium, and psaltery.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/psalter