Ukulele

Ukulele (Hawaiian: flea), small guitar of Hawaii, resembling the machete, introduced by Port. sailors in the 1870's, and probably derived from the machete. Made preferably of koa wood, with 4 strings, tuned d1 f♯1 a1 b1 or g1 c1 e1 a1, held by rear tuning pegs set in a flat pegdisc, fretted neck, and frontal string fastener. It is not identical with the Hawaiian guitar. Spelled ukelele in Britain. Cf. taro patch fiddle (151). Olson, Harry F. Musical Engineering. New York, 1952.