fife

(fīf)

noun

a small flute having from six to eight finger holes, and usually no keys, used mainly with drums in playing marches

Origin: Ger pfeife, a pipe, fife < MHG pfife < OHG pfifa < VL *pipa, pipe

transitive verb, intransitive verb fifed, fifing

to play on a fife

Related Forms:

administrative unit of E Scotland: formerly a county

See fife in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun
A small, high-pitched, transverse flute used primarily to accompany drums in a military or marching band.
verb fifed fifed, fif·ing, fifes
verb, intransitive
To play a fife.
verb, transitive
To perform (a piece or tune) on or as if on a fife.

Origin:

Origin: Probably German Pfeife

Origin: , from Middle High German pfīfe

Origin: , from Old High German pfīffa

Origin: , from Vulgar Latin *pīpa

Origin: , from Latin pīpāre, to chirp

.

Related Forms:

  • fifˈer noun

A region of eastern Scotland between the Firths of Forth and Tay. It was once a Pict kingdom.

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