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.

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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

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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

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

But Orpheus, traveling with a group of Argonauts, helped them safely sail past the sirens by loudly playing his lyre and singing.

From New York Times