n A
musical instrument consisting of a flat
sounding box with numerous
strings, placed on a horizontal surface, and played with a
plectrum and fingertips; similar to a
dulcimer. In the Norwegian
harpeleik and Swedish cittra versions, the instrument is considered a chorded zither and usually has 7 (Norwegian) to 9 (Swedish) chords, some with as many as 11 strings each, which are mostly strummed and damped as chords, although sometimes plucked. The Norwegian harpeleik and Swedish cittra are still in production by a German manufacturer.