lyre

American  

[lahy^uhr] / laɪər /

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. Astronomy. Lyre, the constellation Lyra.

---

lyre British  

/ 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

---

Etymology

Origin of lyre

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

Example Sentences

The wall paintings are adorned with candelabras, stringed instruments called lyres, white cranes and a delicate daisy.

From BBC

Ditto for Grant, who brings along his acoustic guitar, a.k.a. the louche’s lyre.

From Salon

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

Stories and works of art tell us that the African god Àyàn was a drummer; the Greek god Apollo played the lyre, a string instrument.

From Salon