A psalter is an ancient or medieval book containing the Book of Psalms, often with prayers, translations, or commentary. In modern use, it refers to a volume of psalms for liturgical or devotional use. The term can also describe a collection of psalm tunes or a reference to the Psalter in a religious context.
"The medieval monastery housed a richly illuminated psalter used in daily prayers."
"Scholars studied the psalter to understand early musical notation and sacred poetry."
"He carried a worn psalter to church, following along with the choir."
"The psalter’s pages revealed a blend of prayers, hymns, and psalm translations."
Psalter derives from Latin psalterium, from Greek psalterion, meaning a stringed instrument or lute, used metaphorically for a collection of psalms. The word originally denoted a musical instrument accompaniment to psalms; later, it came to mean the book containing the psalms themselves. The form psalter appears in Old English as palestre or psalter, influenced by Latin psalterium and Greek psalterion. In medieval Europe, psalters were widely produced in Latin or vernacular languages, often richly decorated and used in monastic offices and public worship. By the later medieval and early modern periods, “psalter” commonly referred specifically to the psalms themselves or a complete volume of psalm translations, while the musical content sometimes separated into hymnals or antiphonaries. First known uses are attested in late antique Latin translations and Old English glossaries, with documentary references appearing across Christian liturgical manuscripts from the 9th to 12th centuries and beyond. The term’s meaning expanded from a musical-companion book to the dedicated collection of psalms used in religious practice.
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Words that rhyme with "Psalter"
-ter sounds
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Psalter is pronounced SAL-tər (US) or SAL-tə (UK/AU). The initial consonant cluster starts with /s/ followed by an /ɔː/ vowel in the first syllable, with the P being silent or lightly aspirated depending on dialect. The second syllable is a schwa or rhotacized vowel depending on accent. IPA: US /ˈsɔːl.tɚ/; UK /ˈsɔːl.tə/; AU /ˈsɔːl.tə/. Note that the initial 'P' is silent in standard pronunciations.
Common errors include pronouncing the initial P as a strong /p/ (puh-salter) and misplacing the stress or vowel length in the first syllable. Another frequent mistake is a full vowel in the second syllable like /ˈsɔːl.təɹ/; instead, use a quick, unstressed /ə/ or a rhotacized final in US. Correct approach: /ˈsɔːl.tə/ (UK/AU) or /ˈsɔːl.tɚ/ (US). Practice by starting with SALT in the first syllable, then softly vocalize the second syllable.
In US English, /ˈsɔːl.tɚ/ with a rhotacized final; in UK English, /ˈsɔːl.tə/ with a non-rhotic ending, often with a shorter, clipped second syllable; in Australian English, /ˈsɔːl.tə/ similar to UK but with a more central vowel and non-rhoticity in most dialects. The main differences are rhoticity and vowel quality in the first syllable. Emphasize the long /ɔː/ sound and a reduced second syllable in all variants.
The difficulty lies in the silent P and the long /ɔː/ vowel in the first syllable, followed by a reduced second syllable that varies by accent. English speakers cue a subtle schwa or rhotic vowel in the final syllable, which can trip non-native ears. Focus on maintaining the /ɔː/ quality in the first syllable and producing a quick, unstressed second syllable. IPA cues help cement the rhythm across dialects.
In careful speech, Psalter is not like solder. While both may feature an /ɔː/ vowel, Psalter keeps the second syllable unstressed as /tə/ or /tɚ/ depending on accent. Solder would typically be /ˈsɒl.dər/ in some dialects, with a different vowel and an alveolar /d/. Focus on the /t/ + reduced vowel sequence to distinguish Psalter from solder in connected speech.
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