flute
flute / floōt/ •
n. 1. a wind instrument made from a tube with holes along it that are stopped by
the fingers or keys, held vertically or horizontally so that the player's
breath strikes a narrow edge. ∎ a modern orchestral
instrument of this type, typically of metal, held horizontally, with the
mouthpiece near one end, which is closed. ∎ an organ stop
with wooden or metal flue pipes producing a similar tone. 2. Archit. an ornamental vertical groove in a column. ∎ a trumpet-shaped
frill on a dress or other garment. ∎ any similar
cylindrical groove, as on pastry. 3. a tall, narrow wine glass: a flute of
champagne. • v. 1. [with direct
speech] speak in a melodious way reminiscent of the
sound of a flute: “What do you do?” she fluted. ∎ [intr.] poetic/lit. play a flute or pipe: to
him who sat upon the rocks, and fluted to the morning sea | [tr.] some swan fluting a wild
carol. 2. [tr.] [often as adj.] (fluted) make flutes or grooves in: fluted columns. ∎ make trumpet-shaped
frills on (a garment): a fluted collar. DERIVATIVES: flute·like / -ˌlīk/ adj. ORIGIN: Middle
English: from Old French flahute, probably
from Provençal flaüt, perhaps a blend offlaujol ‘flageolet’ + laüt‘lute.’
flute