Flute

Flute (flūt), n. [OE. floute, floite, fr. OF. flaüte, flahute, flahuste, F. flûte; 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.) 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 the column of air in the pipe. Knight. [1913 Webster]

Flute (flūt), n. [Cf. F. flûte a transport, D. fluit.] A kind of flyboat; a storeship.

Armed en flûte (Nav.), partially armed.

Flute (flūt), v. i. [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.] 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.