flute

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   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.

   The breathing flute's ſoft notes are heard around, / And the ſhril trumpets mix their ſilver ſound; / The vaulted roofs vvith echoing muſic ring, / Theſe touch the vocal ſtops, and thoſe the trembling ſtring.

2. 2
   noun

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

   These are champagne glasses, says Peggy. No, I mean the tall ones, Jamie says. You're thinking of flutes, says Peggy. These are coupes.

3. 3
   verb

   To make a flutelike sound.

   The green turf was velvet underfoot. The blackbirds fluted in the hazels there.

4. 4
   verb

   To utter with a flutelike sound.

   “Oh, there's my precious Poppet,” said Phyllis, as a distant barking reached the ears. “He's asking for his dinner, the sweet little angel. All right, darling, Mother's coming,” she fluted, and buzzed off on the errand of mercy.

5. 5
   noun

   a high-pitched woodwind instrument

6. 6
   noun

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

7. 7
   noun

   a tall narrow wineglass

8. 8
   verb

   form flutes in

Etymology

From Middle English fleute, floute, flote, from Old French flaute, fleüte, from Old Provençal flaüt, of uncertain origin. Perhaps ultimately from three possibilities: * Blend of Provencal flaujol (“flageolet”) + laüt (“lute”) * From Latin flātus (“blowing”), from flāre (“to blow”) * Imitative. Doublet of flauta and fluyt.