lyre

Where does the word "lyre" come from? It comes from Greek lyra, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

Lyre’s story begins in Greek: lyra meant “lyre.” Greek, the stringed instrument of Apollo. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as lire. Came via Latin 'lyra'. It reached English by 1200s as lyre. 'lyric' and 'lyrical' share the root. Today, lyre means a U-shaped harp of ancient Greece.

1. Stage 1 · Greek · ancient lyra "lyre", Greek, the stringed instrument of Apollo.
2. Stage 2 · Old French · medieval lire "lyre", came via Latin 'lyra'.
3. Stage 3 · English · 1200s lyre "stringed instrument", 'lyric' and 'lyrical' share the root.