[fahyf] 
noun, verb, fifed, fif⋅ing.| 1. | a high-pitched transverse flute used commonly in military and marching musical groups. |
| 2. | to play on a fife. |
[fahyf] | 1. | Also called Fife⋅shire [fahyf-sheer, -sher] . a historic county in E Scotland. |
| 2. | a region in E Scotland. 336,339; 504 sq. mi. (1305 sq. km). |
| fife (fīf) n. A small, high-pitched, transverse flute used primarily to accompany drums in a military or marching band. v. fifed, fif·ing, fifes v. intr. To play a fife. v. tr. To perform (a piece or tune) on or as if on a fife. [Probably German Pfeife, from Middle High German pfīfe, from Old High German pfīffa, from Vulgar Latin *pīpa, from Latin pīpāre, to chirp.] fif'er n. |
| Fife (fīf) A region of eastern Scotland between the Firths of Forth and Tay. It was once a Pict kingdom. |
fife
small transverse (side-blown) flute with six finger holes and a narrow cylindrical bore that produces a high pitch and shrill tone. The modern fife, pitched to the A above middle C, is about 15.5 inches (39 cm) long and often has an added E hole covered by a key. Its compass is about two octaves. Fifes of conical bore have also been made since the 19th century.
Learn more about fife with a free trial on Britannica.com.
