plectrum

 
Pronunciation: /ˈplɛktrəm/

noun (plural plectrums or plectra /-trə/)

  • a thin flat piece of plastic, tortoiseshell, or other slightly flexible material held by or worn on the fingers and used to pluck the strings of a musical instrument such as a guitar.
  • the mechanical part corresponding to a plectrum which plucks the strings of an instrument such as a harpsichord.

Origin:

late Middle English: via Latin from Greek plēktron 'something with which to strike', from plēssein 'to strike'