Lute

a stringed musical instrument, somewhat akin to the guitar, mandolin, or banjo. Historically it appears to be an evolution from simple instruments known to the Egyptians and Hebrews. It was introduced into western Europe by the Arabians, where it became popular during the Middle Ages, being used by a singer as a minstrel uses his banjo to play an accompaniment. The lute of antiquity had but five or six strings; the modern lute has twenty-four. The player strikes or plucks the strings with the fingers of the right hand and regulates the notes by pressing the strings against frets with the fingers of the left hand.