flute

noun

1. 1

   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.

   The group played huge drums placed overhead, along with flutes and a kotolike zither.

   After another alternation of the two elements, there is a more playful episode, in which flute and bassoon take up the first element, with swooping glissando on the ondes Martenot.

2. 2

   A recorder, also a woodwind instrument.

3. 3

   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.

4. 4

   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.

5. 5

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

6. 6

   A long French bread roll, baguette.

7. 7

   An organ stop with a flute-like sound.

8. 8

   A shuttle in weaving tapestry etc.

verb

1. 1

   To play on a flute.

2. 2

   To make a flutelike sound.

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

3. 3

   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.

4. 4

   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.).

noun

1. 1

   A kind of flyboat; a storeship.

Forms

plural

flutes

past tense

fluted

past participle

fluted

present participle

fluting

third person singular

flutes