See Also: psalter(medicine)
psalter(dictionary)
psalter(dictionary)

psalter (iou)



psalter noun. Also Psalter.
[Old English (p)saltere corresp. to Old High German (p)salteri, Old Norse (p)saltari, reinforced in Middle English from Anglo-Norman sauter, Old French sautier (mod. psautier), from Latin psalterium, from Greek psalterion stringed instrument, in Christian Latin & Greek the Book of Psalms, from psallein pluck, twang.]
I.
The Book of Psalms. OE.
b. A translation or particular version (prose or metrical) of the Book of Psalms. Freq. with specifying word. OE.
English Psalter, Prayer-Book Psalter, Scotch Psalter, etc.
c. A copy of, or a volume containing, the Psalms, esp. as arranged for liturgical or devotional use. OE.
A selection from, or portion of, the Psalms, said or sung at a particular service or for a particular purpose. OE-E16.
Any of various old Irish chronicles in verse. L17.
Psalter of Cashel, Psalter of Tara, etc.
II.
= PSALTERY 1. arch. OE.
Phrases: Jesus psalter a form of devotion consisting of 15 petitions, each beginning with a tenfold repetition of the name Jesus (which is thus said as many times as there are psalms in the Psalter). Our Lady's psalter the rosary (so called on account of its containing as many Aves as there are psalms in the Psalter); a book containing this.
psaltress noun (now poet. rare) a female player on the psaltery M16.