lyre
/ˈlaɪər/
noun
Origin
Ancient Greek
λύρα — lyre
Overview
Meaning Now
- A stringed musical instrument of the harp class having a U-shaped frame and a crossbar, used especially in ancient Greece.
Language path
Ancient Greek → Latin → Old French → English
Earliest form
lyre
Earliest period
14th century
Journey
The lyre was central to Ancient Greek culture, often associated with the cult of Apollo. It was used to accompany recitation of epic poetry and served as a symbol of artistic inspiration and musical refinement.
Evolution
- Ancient Greek
λύρα
“a stringed instrument”
- Latin
lyra
“lyre”
Direct borrowing from Greek
- Old French
lyre
“lyre”
- Middle English
lyre
“lyre”
Connections
Word parts
lyre
root
lyre
Related across languages
Latin
lyra
lyre
German
Leier
lyre
Explore next
Related to lyre
External references use DefinedTerm semantics.