Definition

1. Noun:
   • A stringed musical instrument: A lute is a plucked string instrument with a rounded body, a bent neck, and a fretted fingerboard. It was prominent in European music from the Medieval to Baroque eras.
   • A sealing substance: A lute is a clay-like or putty-like substance used to seal joints or coat porous surfaces to prevent the passage of air or liquid.

Examples

• Noun (Musical Instrument):
  • The musician played a beautiful melody on the lute.
  • Renaissance art often depicts angels holding lutes.
• Noun (Sealing Substance):
  • The potter used a lute of clay to seal the kiln door.
  • Apply the lute around the pipe fitting to ensure an airtight seal.

Advanced Usage

• "To lute" (verb, archaic/technical): To seal or coat with a lute substance.
  • The alchemists would carefully lute their flasks before heating them.

Variants and Related Words

• Lutenist/Lutanist (n): A person who plays the lute.
  • The concert featured a renowned lutenist.
• Luting (n): The act or material used for sealing; synonymous with the second noun definition of 'lute'.
  • The luting failed, causing a leak.

Synonyms

• For the instrument: None that are exact; it is a specific instrument type. Related terms include: theorbo (a bass lute), oud (a related Middle Eastern instrument).
• For the sealing substance: Sealant, cement (in a technical, non-construction context), putty, mastic.

Related Phrases (Phrasal Verbs)

Related Idioms

Noun

1. chordophone consisting of a plucked instrument having a pear-shaped body, a usually bent neck, and a fretted fingerboard
2. a substance for packing a joint or coating a porous surface to make it impervious to gas or liquid