A lyre is a small stringed instrument, usually held in the hands or rested against the body, that was used in ancient Greek and other early traditions to accompany sung or recited poetry. Because of that close link, the lyre is also a lasting symbol of lyric poetry and poetic song.
Example
Softly I touch the lyre at dusk,
letting one clear note rise
under the spoken line,
as if the poem itself were singing.
Related Definitions
[n] a harp used by ancient Greeks for accompaniment