Plucked

Plucked is the past participle of the verb pluck, meaning to pull something quickly and sharply, or to pick and remove from a surface or source. As a general adjective, plucked describes objects or items that have been removed or selected. The word derives from Old English and other Germanic roots for pulling or tugging.

In music, plucked refers to sound produced by pulling and releasing a string with the fingers or with a plectrum. Plucked instruments include guitar, lute, mandolin, banjo, zither, harp, koto, guqin, and many others; some are played with fingerpicks, nails, or a pick. The term also covers the technique of plucking as opposed to bowing or striking. Plucked strings can produce a bright, percussive, or ringing tone depending on the instrument and playing style.

In performance notation, plucked strings may be indicated by pizzicato (pizz.) for orchestral strings; in guitar notation, plucked passages may be notated with standard rhythm and fingering. Techniques associated with plucking include fingerstyle, flatpicking, strumming, and tremolo or rapid picking, which aim to produce various textures and sustain.

Beyond music, plucked can describe items removed from a surface, such as fruit or flowers, and is used metaphorically to denote something selected or drawn from a group, especially when chosen quickly or with deliberation. The term remains common across contexts that involve pulling, picking, or removing.