fife

¹

[ fahyf ]

noun

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

verb (used with or without object)

, fifed, fif·ing.

1. to play on a fife.

Fife

²

[ fahyf ]

noun

1. Also called Fife·shire [fahyf, -sheer, -sher]. a historic county in E Scotland.
2. a region in E Scotland. 504 sq. mi. (1,305 sq. km).

Fife

¹

/ faɪf /

noun

1. See Duncan Phyfe
   FifeDuncan Duncan See Duncan Phyfe

fife

²

/ 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

³

/ 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

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

Derived Forms

• ˈfifer, noun

Other Words From

• fifer noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of fife¹

1540–50; < German Pfeife pipe ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of fife¹

C16: from Old High German pfīfa ; see pipe ¹

Example Sentences

Scotland is where William and Kate's met at the University of St Andrews in Fife.

From The Daily Beast

“It would be a swell joke on tout-le-monde if you & Fife & I spent the summer at Juan-les-Pins,” she wrote.

From The Daily Beast

Never been happier in all my life / Since the day that I moved to Fife.

From The Daily Beast

Fife, the dominant one, is so ashamed that he insults Bead whenever he gets the chance.

From The Daily Beast

When Bead takes a bullet to the head and lies dying, he asks Fife to hold his hand.

From The Daily Beast

The whole episode contrasts markedly with the exploit of Bishop Sinclair in Fife.

From Project Gutenberg

As an example of how political conflicts ought to be carried on take the case of West Fife.

From Project Gutenberg

In 1885 the club had their present vessel, the 'Ailsa,' 66 tons, built by Fife of Fairlie; and who better could have been chosen?

From Project Gutenberg

A roll of a drum and the skirl of a fife came wafting across the valley on the April breeze.

From Project Gutenberg

His fife it was that inspired the weary Deerfield minute-men to press on to Boston to meet the British.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• blare
• hiss