lyre

[ lahyuh r ]

/ laɪər /

noun

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.

(initial capital letter) Astronomy. the constellation Lyra.

Nearby words

lypressin, lyra, lyra viol, lyrate, lyrately, lyre, lyre back, lyre snake, lyre-form sofa, lyrebird, lyric

Origin of lyre

1175–1225; Middle English lire < Latin lyra < Greek lýra

Can be confused

liar lyre

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for lyre

These pieces show Christov-Bakargiev wearing her Apollo hat and strumming the lyre too loudly.
The Art Exhibition Documenta Contains Almost Too Much Good Art to Experience|Blake Gopnik|June 9, 2012|DAILY BEAST
We might conclude that the only thing of beauty that remains of him is the shape of his lyre in the stars.
Ann Wroe’s ‘Orpheus’: Why the Mythological Muse Haunts Us|Ann Wroe|May 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Only head and lyre remained intact, floating down the River Hebrus from Thrace to the sea.
Ann Wroe’s ‘Orpheus’: Why the Mythological Muse Haunts Us|Ann Wroe|May 31, 2012|DAILY BEAST
You may know Apollo in pictures by his laurel wreath as well as by his lyre and bow.
Gods and Heroes|R. E. Francillon

Trusting to the magic of his lyre, he repaired to the infernal regions.
The Student's Mythology|Catherine Ann White
Hermes had invented the lyre and brought a new kind of music into the world.
Nature Myths and Stories for Little Children|Flora J. Cooke
And as he moved he lifted the lyre, drawing his hand across its strings.
Istar of Babylon|Margaret Horton Potter
The lyre was surmounted by a head typical of the Republic, encircled by rays.
Victor Hugo: His Life and Works|G. Barnett Smith

British Dictionary definitions for lyre

lyre

/ (laɪə) /

noun

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

any ancient instrument of similar design

a medieval bowed instrument of the violin family

Word Origin for lyre

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012