fife1
/fʌɪf
/
noun
A kind of small shrill flute used with the drum in military bands.The air came alive with the shrill whistling of the fifes, and the drums began pounding in rhythm with my heart....
- Other events at the castle included 24 drummers who gave a special display involving drums, bugles and fifes, and an appearance of the Richmond Drummer boy, an important part of local legend.
- The band is made up of a stringed guitar, drum, and fife.
verb [no object] archaic
Play the fife.His deep interest in Irish culture and music prompted his research into the Lambeg drumming and fifing traditions of Ulster.
Derivatives
fifer
/ noun ...- Isaac Davis and one of his soldiers were killed instantly by the volley, and four Americans were wounded, including the fifer; the music abruptly stopped.
- A regiment so equipped, with its drum and fife corps of 12 drummers and 12 fifers, would be greatly enhanced in its aspect for military functions.
- Orders issued in 1791 and 1795 prohibited Eurasians from commissioned service in the army, except as drummers, fifers, and farriers.
Origin
Mid 16th century: from German Pfeife 'pipe', or from French fifre from Swiss German Pfifer 'piper'.
Rhymes
Fife2
/fʌɪf/A council area and former county of east central Scotland; administrative centre, Glenrothes.