Lyre
[laɪə] or ['laɪɚ]
Definition
(n.) A stringed instrument of music; a kind of harp much used by the ancients, as an accompaniment to poetry.
(n.) One of the constellations; Lyra. See Lyra.
Inputed by Antonia
Definition
n. a musical instrument like the harp anciently used as an accompaniment to poetry.—n. Ly′ra one of the northern constellations.—adjs. Ly′rate -d (bot.) lyre-shaped.—ns. Lyre′bird an Australian bird about the size of a pheasant having the 16 tail-feathers of the male arranged in the form of a lyre; Lyric (lir′-) a lyric poem: (obs.) a composer of lyric poetry.—adjs. Lyric -al (lir′-) pertaining to the lyre: fitted to be sung to the lyre: written in stanzas: said of poetry which expresses the individual emotions of the poet: that composes lyrics.—ns. Lyricism (lir′-) a lyrical expression or composition; Lyr′ism the art of playing on the lyre; Lyr′ist a player on the lyre or harp.
Inputed by Bartholomew
Unserious Contents or Definition
To dream of listening to the music of a lyre, foretells chaste pleasures and congenial companionship. Business will run smoothly. For a young woman to dream of playing on one, denotes that she will enjoy the undivided affection of a worthy man.
Editor: Upton
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. An ancient instrument of torture. The word is now used in a figurative sense to denote the poetic faculty as in the following fiery lines of our great poet Ella Wheeler Wilcox:
Checker: Sheena
Examples
- They'll see her lyre, won't they? Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- They abounded in China, in India, and in Egypt before the lyre of Apollo was invented, or the charming harp of Orpheus was conceived. William Henry Doolittle. Inventions in the Century.
- That is a dream of the lyre, not of the sword, replied Caliphronas, carelessly glancing at his watch. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- This Apollo, for instance, he said, as they paused before a life-sized nude figure holding a lyre, was found at Delos and brought to me. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- Epic poem--ten thousand lines-- revolution of July--composed it on the spot--Mars by day, Apollo by night--bang the field-piece, twang the lyre. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Your heart is a lyre, Robert; but the lot of your life has not been a minstrel to sweep it, and it is often silent. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- You should be draped in white robes, bear an ivory lyre, and minister to Apollo the Far-Darter. Fergus Hume. The Island of Fantasy.
- The lyre and the harp may be permitted in the town, and the Pan's-pipe in the fields. Plato. The Republic.
- There remain then only the lyre and the harp for use in the city, and the shepherds may have a pipe in the country. Plato. The Republic.
- O for the lyre of some Orpheus, to constrain, with touch of melodious strings, these mad masses into Order! H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
Checker: Nanette