On some fretted instruments, not all of the strings can be fretted. Rather, some of the bass strings do not pass over the fretboard. These can be played with the right hand, or can sound as sympathetic strings, or both.
Such strings, and the courses composed of them, are referred to as being theorboed, after the theorbo, an instrument of the lute family particularly noted for having for such strings.
Other instruments with theorboed strings include the 13-course baroque lute, and all harp guitars.
Theoboed strings are often but not always longer than the fretted strings of the instrument, and of a lighter gauge than a fretted string of similar open pitch. The overall result of this is both that the instrument doesn't need to be as strong, and that the string gives a clearer and more resonant note.
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