flute

[ floot ]

noun

1. a musical wind instrument consisting of a tube with a series of fingerholes or keys, in which the wind is directed against a sharp edge, either directly, as in the modern transverse flute, or through a flue, as in the recorder.
2. an organ stop with wide flue pipes, having a flutelike tone.
3. Architecture, Furniture. a channel, groove, or furrow, as on the shaft of a column.
4. any groove or furrow, as in a ruffle of cloth or on a piecrust.
5. one of the helical grooves of a twist drill.
6. a slender, footed wineglass of the 17th century, having a tall, conical bowl.
7. a similar stemmed glass, used especially for champagne.

verb (used without object)

, flut·ed, flut·ing.

1. to produce flutelike sounds.
2. to play on a flute.
3. (of a metal strip or sheet) to kink or break in bending.

verb (used with object)

, flut·ed, flut·ing.

1. to utter in flutelike tones.
2. to form longitudinal flutes or furrows in:

   to flute a piecrust.

flute

/ fluːt /

noun

1. a wind instrument consisting of an open cylindrical tube of wood or metal having holes in the side stopped either by the fingers or by pads controlled by keys. The breath is directed across a mouth hole cut in the side, causing the air in the tube to vibrate. Range: about three octaves upwards from middle C
2. any pipe blown directly on the principle of a flue pipe, either by means of a mouth hole or through a fipple
3. architect a rounded shallow concave groove on the shaft of a column, pilaster, etc
4. a groove or furrow in cloth, etc
5. a tall narrow wineglass
6. anything shaped like a flute

verb

1. to produce or utter (sounds) in the manner or tone of a flute
2. tr to make grooves or furrows in

flute

1. A high-pitched woodwind , held horizontally by the player and played by blowing across a hole.

Derived Forms

• ˈfluty, adjective
• ˈfluteˌlike, adjective

Other Words From

• flutelike adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of flute¹

1350–1400; Middle English floute < Middle French flaüte, flahute, fleüte < Old Provençal flaüt (perhaps alteration of flaujol, flauja ) < Vulgar Latin *flabeolum. See flageolet, lute ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of flute¹

C14: from Old French flahute , via Old Provençal, from Vulgar Latin flabeolum (unattested); perhaps also influenced by Old Provençal laut lute; see flageolet

Example Sentences

The resulting lush and exotic soundscape, featuring plaintive pan flute and sprinkled with birdsong, turned out to be perfect for the game’s spooktastic forest levels.

From New York Times

“Tomorrow,” after intermission, contained 24 blissful minutes of bass, percussion, flute, guitar and vocal noodling over a recorded soundscape of environmental noise.

From Los Angeles Times

Led by Netanel and the members of her High Vibe Tribe, it’s a 90-minute alfresco experience that includes harp, flute, gongs, chimes, rain sticks, crystal bowls and other relaxing sound makers.

From Los Angeles Times

Such versatility on the part of the staff can also be seen in teacher Osama Jahjouh’s fashioning of a nay - or traditional flute - out of a plastic pipe, because the Conservatory nays have been lost.

From BBC

To battle depression, he meditated, exercised daily, cooked himself healthful local dishes, and there was “no partying, flute music, s— like that,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blare
• hiss