noun

gusle

GUSS-luh

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Gusle (noun) means a single-stringed, bowed instrument with a bowl-shaped body, traditionally held upright on the lap and originating among the Slavic peoples of the Balkans. Example: “He rested the gusle on his knee and drew the bow slowly across its single string.”

noun

A single-stringed, bowed instrument with a bowl-shaped body, traditionally held upright on the lap and originating among the Slavic peoples of the Balkans.

"He rested the gusle on his knee and drew the bow slowly across its single string."

"The gusle is held upright in the lap while its single string is played with a bow."

"Their grandfather kept an old gusle from the Dinarides on the wall of his study."

How to use gusle

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishA gusle is a traditional Balkan instrument with just one string, played with a bow.

When to use it

It's a specialist, mostly folk-music term rather than everyday vocabulary.

Memory tip

Don't confuse it with the closely related word 'gusli', which names a different but similar instrument.

Trace the full origin ↓

Easily confused with

gusli

Common pairings

play the gusle an old gusle a gusle player

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

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Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

He rested the _____ on his knee and drew the bow slowly across its single string.

Etymology

Gusle was borrowed into English from Serbo-Croatian gusle, the name for the same instrument. It is a doublet of the related English word gusli.

Origin: Serbo-Croatian

Synonyms

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lahuta

Frequently asked questions

What is a gusle?

A gusle is a single-stringed, bowed instrument with a bowl-shaped body, played upright on the lap.

How many strings does a gusle have?

A gusle has a single string.

Where does the gusle come from?

It originates among the Slavic peoples of the Balkans, particularly in the Dinarides region.

What is the meaning of gusle?

"gusle" (noun) means a single-stringed, bowed instrument with a bowl-shaped body, traditionally held upright on the lap and originating among the Slavic peoples of the Balkans.