violin vs zither

violin

noun
  • A small unfretted stringed instrument with four strings tuned (lowest to highest) G-D-A-E, usually held against the chin and played with a bow. 

  • Any instrument of the violin family, always inclusive of violins, violas, and cellos and sometimes further including the double bass. 

  • The position of a violinist in an orchestra or group. 

verb
  • To play on, or as if on, a violin. 

zither

noun
  • A musical instrument consisting of a flat sounding box with numerous strings placed on a horizontal surface, played with a plectrum or fingertips. 

  • Related or similar instruments in other cultures, such as the Chinese guqin or Norwegian harpeleik; especially any chordophone without a neck, and with strings that pass over the body. 

verb
  • To make a sound similar to that made by a zither; to move while making such a sound. 

  • To play a zither. 

How often have the words violin and zither occurred in a corpus of books? (source: Google Ngram Viewer )