lyre

[ lahyuhr ]

noun

1. a musical instrument of ancient Greece consisting of a soundbox made typically from a turtle shell, with two curved arms connected by a yoke from which strings are stretched to the body, used especially to accompany singing and recitation.
2. Lyre, Astronomy. the constellation Lyra.

lyre

/ laɪə /

noun

1. an ancient Greek stringed instrument consisting of a resonating tortoise shell to which a crossbar was attached by two projecting arms. It was plucked with a plectrum and used for accompanying songs
2. any ancient instrument of similar design
3. a medieval bowed instrument of the violin family

Word History and Origins

Origin of lyre¹

First recorded in 1175–1225; Middle English lire, from Latin lyra, from Greek lýra

Word History and Origins

Origin of lyre¹

C13: via Old French from Latin lyra, from Greek lura

Example Sentences

He appears before the Milan court with a silver lyre shaped like a horse’s skull.

From Literature

Leonardo is in fact a virtuoso of the lyre, a sort of early viola.

From Literature

In fact, Nero often played a type of lyre called a cithara.

From Scientific American

Sturridge dressed all in black flowing clothes could be seen walking along the beach to meet another character, who was dressed in white robes carrying what looked like a lyre - a harp-like instrument made from animal horns.

From BBC

She also has Guinness 0, the nonalcoholic version of the Irish stout; a recipe for nonalcoholic Baileys; and even nonalcoholic bourbon and whiskey, like Kentucky 74 and Lyre’s.

From Seattle Times