noun
lyre
LEYE-uh
noun
1
A small stringed instrument from ancient Greece, with two arms rising from a body to a crossbar, plucked like a harp.
"In Greek myth, Hermes is said to have invented the lyre from a tortoise shell."
"The musician plucked a haunting melody on the lyre."
How to Use Lyre
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn ancient harp-like stringed instrument associated with Greek mythology and poetry.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "liar" (someone who tells lies) — they sound identical but are unrelated.
Easily confused with
Word Forms
lyred past tense, lyres plural, lyres singular
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Fill the Gap
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In Greek myth, Hermes is said to have invented the _____ from a tortoise shell.
Etymology
From Latin lyra, from Ancient Greek lura — a doublet of "lyric" and the constellation "Lyra".