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n. pl. ban·jos or ban·joes A usually fretted stringed instrument having a narrow neck and a hollow circular body with a covering of plastic or stretched skin on which the bridge rests. The modern American banjo typically has four strings and often a short fifth string plucked with the thumb. [Earlier banshaw, banjore, banjo, probably of African origin and akin to Kimbundu and Tshiluba mbanza, a plucked stringed instrument (probably also influenced by BANDORE).] banjo·ist n.  (click for a larger image) banjo |
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