LYRE

an ancient Gk. stringed musical instrument of various patterns and sizes. The strings, at different periods number. ing 4, 7, or 10, were stretched acro a hollow body or sound chest, and played with a plectrum. The modern GE. lyra is of the violin type, played with a bow; and several bowed instruments of this kind, differing greatly as to number of strings, were known as l’s about the XIX. cent. Haydn alone among the Cla ical composers wrote for the lyra.