flute Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. 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
    transverse flute.
  2. noun a tall narrow wineglass
    champagne flute; flute glass.
  3. noun a groove or furrow in cloth etc (particularly a shallow concave groove on the shaft of a column)
    fluting.
  4. verb form flutes in

WordNet

Flute noun
Etymology
OE. floute, floite, fr. OF. flaüte, flahute, flahuste, F. flte; cf. LL. flauta, D. fluit. See Flute, v. i.
Definitions
  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.) 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. Knight.
Flute noun
Etymology
Cf. F. flte a transport, D. fluit.
Definitions
  1. A kindof flyboat; a storeship.
Flute intransitive verb
Etymology
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.
Definitions
  1. To play on, or as on, a flute; to make a flutelike sound.
Flute transitive verb
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Fluted ; present participle & verbal noun Fluting
Definitions
  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.

Webster 1913