n.
- a high-pitched wind instrument consisting of a tube with holes along it, usually held horizontally so that the breath can be directed against a fixed edge.
- Architecture an ornamental vertical groove in a column.
▸a trumpet-shaped frill on a garment.
- a tall, narrow wine glass.
v.
- speak in a melodious way.
▸literary play a flute or pipe.
-
[often as adj. fluted]
make flutes or grooves in.
Derivative
- fluting n.
- fluty
(also flutey)
adj.
Etymology
ME: from OFr. flahute, prob. from Provençal flaüt, perh. a blend of flaujol ‘flageolet’ + laüt ‘lute’.