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.

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Origin of lyre

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH lyre

liar lyre

Words nearby lyre

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

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences 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