Short-necked ancestor of the European lute, native to the Middle East and North Africa. Constructed of a pear-shaped body with a short neck and fingerboard. One large soundhole is ornamented with a wooden rosette. A 'raqma' (membrane) serves as a plectrum-guard, protecting the belly from scratches. The unfretted neck is inlaid with marquetry to aid in finger placement. Four double courses of strings plus one bass string.

‘Ūd is Arabic for 'twig' or 'flexible rod,' which evolved into the western name, 'lute.'