What is "barbiton"

Barbiton \Bar"bi*ton\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ba`rbiton.] (Mus.) An ancient Greek instrument resembling a lyre.

n. an ancient stringed musical instrument, apparently a type of lute or lyre

The barbiton, or barbitos ( Gr: βάρβιτον or βάρβιτος; Lat. barbitus), is an ancient stringed instrument known from Greek and Roman classics related to the lyre. The barbat or barbud, also sometimes called barbiton, is an unrelated lute-like instrument derived from Persia.

The Greek instrument was a bass version of the kithara, and belonged in the zither family, but in medieval times, the same name was used to refer to a different instrument that was a variety of lute.