fife

¹ American  

[fahyf] / faɪf /

noun

1. a high-pitched transverse flute used commonly in military and marching musical groups.

---

verb (used with or without object)

fifed, fifing

1. to play on a fife.

Fife ² American  

[fahyf] / faɪf /

noun

1. Also called Fifeshire.  a historic county in E Scotland.

2. a region in E Scotland. 504 sq. mi. (1,305 sq. km).

---

fife ¹ British  

/ faɪf /

noun

1. a small high-pitched flute similar to the piccolo and usually having no keys, used esp in military bands

---

verb

1. to play (music) on a fife

Fife ² British  

/ faɪf /

noun

1. Duncan See Duncan Phyfe

---

Fife ³ British  

/ faɪf /

noun

1. a council area and historical county of E central Scotland, bordering on the North Sea between the Firths of Tay and Forth: coastal lowlands in the north and east, with several ranges of hills; mainly agricultural. Administrative centre: Glenrothes. Pop: 352 040 (2003 est). Area: 1323 sq km (511 sq miles)

---

fife Cultural  

1. A small flute with a high, piercing tone, used mainly in military bands.

---

Other Word Forms

• fifer noun

Etymology

Origin of fife

1540–50; < German Pfeife pipe ¹

Example Sentences

“Death to My Hometown” carried a faint whiff of Revolutionary War cosplay as several E Streeters temporarily became a miniature fife and drum corps.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 26, 2024

A fife and drum corps marched in 18th-century finery.

From New York Times • Jan. 20, 2021

There was a “Spirit of ’76”—three men with fife and drum.

From Slate • Jun. 20, 2020

A soundtrack absent of bagpipes, fife and drums and marching bands.

From Washington Times • Mar. 18, 2020

The great luxury of my fife is the freedom to sit at this desk.

From "Hunger of Memory" by Richard Rodriguez

Related Words

• blare
• hiss