lyre

English

/ˈlaɪ.ə/, /ˈlaɪ.ɚ/

noun
Definitions
  • (musical instrument) An ancient stringed musical instrument (a yoke lute chordophone) of Greek origin, consisting of two arms extending from a body to a crossbar (a yoke), and strings, parallel to the soundboard, connecting the body to the yoke.
  • A lyre-shaped sheet music holder that attaches to a wind instrument when a music stand is impractical.
  • (obsolete) A composer of lyric poetry.

Etymology

Derived from Ancient Greek λύρα (lyre, a stringed instrument with a sounding-board formed of the shell of a tortoise, the constellation Lyra, a lyre).

Origin

Ancient Greek

λύρα

Gloss

lyre, a stringed instrument with a sounding-board formed of the shell of a tortoise, the constellation Lyra, a lyre

Timeline

Distribution of cognates by language

Geogrpahic distribution of cognates

Cognates and derived terms