1. [n]  a high-pitched woodwind instrument; a slender tube closed at one end with finger holes on one end and an opening near the closed end across which the breath is blown
2. [n]  a groove or furrow in cloth etc especially the shallow concave groove on the shaft of a column
3. [n]  a tall narrow wineglass
4. [v]  form flutes in

1. \Flute\, n. [OE. floute, floite, fr. OF. fla["u]te,
   flahute, flahuste, F. fl?te; 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.
   

2. \Flute\ (fl[=u]t), n. [Cf. F. fl[^u]te a transport, D.
   fluit.]
   A kind of flyboat; a storeship.
   {Armed en fl[^u]te}(Nav.), partially armed.
   

3. \Flute\, v. i. [OE. flouten, floiten, OF. fla["u]ter,
   fle["u]ter, flouster, F. fl[^u]ter, 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.
   

4. \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.
   

a musical instrument, probably composed of a number of pipes, mentioned Dan. 3:5, 7, 10, 15.

In Matt. 9:23, 24, notice is taken of players on the flute, here called "minstrels" (but in R.V. "flute-players").

Flutes were in common use among the ancient Egyptians.