FLUTE

flute, transverse flute

(noun) a high-pitched woodwind instrument; a slender tube closed at one end with finger holes on one end and an opening near the closed end across which the breath is blown

flute, fluting

(noun) a groove or furrow in cloth etc (particularly a shallow concave groove on the shaft of a column)

flute, flute glass, champagne flute

(noun) a tall narrow wineglass

flute

(verb) form flutes in

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology 1

Noun

flute (plural flutes)

(musical instruments) A woodwind instrument consisting of a tube with a row of holes that produce sound through vibrations caused by air blown across the edge of the holes, often tuned by plugging one or more holes with a finger; the Western concert flute, a transverse side-blown flute of European origin.

(musical instruments, colloquial) A recorder, also a woodwind instrument.

A glass with a long, narrow bowl and a long stem, used for drinking wine, especially champagne.

a lengthwise groove, such as one of the lengthwise grooves on a classical column, or a groove on a cutting tool (such as a drill bit, endmill, or reamer), which helps to form both a cutting edge and a channel through which chips can escape

(architecture, firearms) A semicylindrical vertical groove, as in a pillar, in plaited cloth, or in a rifle barrel to cut down the weight.

A long French bread roll, baguette.

An organ stop with a flute-like sound.

A shuttle in weaving tapestry etc.

Synonyms

• (as a specific instrument, a transverse, side-blown flute): Western concert flute

• (as a general category of musical instruments): edge-blown aerophone

Verb

flute (third-person singular simple present flutes, present participle fluting, simple past and past participle fluted)

(intransitive) To play on a flute.

(intransitive) To make a flutelike sound.

(transitive) To utter with a flutelike sound.

(transitive) To form flutes or channels in (as in a column, a ruffle, etc.); to cut a semicylindrical vertical groove in (as in a pillar, etc.).

Etymology 2

Noun

flute (plural flutes)

A kind of flyboat; a storeship.

Source: Wiktionary

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Flute, n. Etym: [OE. floute, floite, fr. OF. flaüte, flahute, flahuste, F. fl; cf. LL. flauta, D. fluit. See Flute, v. i.]

1. A musical wind instrument, consisting of a hollow cylinder or pipe, with holes along its length, stopped by the fingers or by keys which are opened by the fingers. The modern flute is closed at the upper end, and blown with the mouth at a lateral hole. The breathing flute's soft notes are heard around. Pope.

2. (Arch.)

Definition: A channel of curved section; -- usually applied to one of a vertical series of such channels used to decorate columns and pilasters in classical architecture. See Illust. under Base, n.

3. A similar channel or groove made in wood or other material, esp. in plaited cloth, as in a lady's ruffle.

4. A long French breakfast roll. Simonds.

5. A stop in an organ, having a flutelike sound. Flute bit, a boring tool for piercing ebony, rosewood, and other hard woods.

– Flute pipe, an organ pipe having a sharp lip or wind-cutter which imparts vibrations to Knight.

Flute, n. Etym: [Cf. F. fl a transport, D. fluit.]

Definition: A kindof flyboat; a storeship. Armed en flûte ( (Nav.), partially armed.

Flute, v. i. Etym: [OE. flouten, floiten, OF. flaüter, fleüter, flouster, F. flûter, cf. D. fluiten; ascribed to an assumed LL. flautare, flatuare, fr. L. flatus a blowing, fr. flare to blow. Cf. Flout, Flageolet, Flatulent.]

Definition: To play on, or as on, a flute; to make a flutelike sound.

Flute, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Fluted; p. pr. & vb. n. Fluting.]

1. To play, whistle, or sing with a clear, soft note, like that of a flute. Knaves are men, That lute and flute fantastic tenderness. Tennyson. The redwing flutes his o-ka-lee. Emerson.

2. To form flutes or channels in, as in a column, a ruffle, etc.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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