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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

lyre

/ˈlaɪ.ɚ/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:49
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What does lyre mean?

noun

  1. An ancient stringed musical instrument (a yoke lute chordophone) of Greek origin, consisting of two arms extending from a body to a crossbar (a yoke), and strings, parallel to the soundboard, connecting the body to the yoke.
  2. Any instrument of the same musicological classification; any yoke lute.
  3. A lyre-shaped sheet music holder that attaches to a wind instrument when a music stand is impractical.
More meanings (2)

noun

  1. (obsolete) A composer of lyric poetry.

verb

  1. (rare) to play the lyre

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈlaɪ.ɚ/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/laɪɹ/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

So he made a statue for himself, and on the lyre he held perched his partner in the prize.
Robert Browning; Hiram CorsonAn Introduction to the Study of Robert Browning's PoetryProject Gutenberg ebook #260
And when he touched the strings of the lyre, such music stole upon the air as never god nor mortal heard before.
Sara Cone BryantHow to Tell Stories to Children, and Some Stories to TellProject Gutenberg ebook #474
More book examples (3)
It consisted of a mimic lyre hung from the ceiling by a cord, and emitting the strains of several instruments--the piano, harp, and dulcimer.
John MunroHeroes of the TelegraphProject Gutenberg ebook #979
There remain then only the lyre and the harp for use in the city, and the shepherds may have a pipe in the country.
PlatoThe RepublicTranslated by Benjamin JowettProject Gutenberg ebook #1497
The proposition, in this form, will be admitted at once by those who love the lyre for its own sake, and for its spiritual uses.
Edgar Allan PoeThe Works of Edgar Allan Poe — Volume 2Project Gutenberg ebook #2148