Flute

[OFr. flahute from Lat. *flauta] (Fr.: flûte; Ger.: Flöte; It.: flauto; Sp.: flauta), a woodwind instr. known since prehistoric times and distributed among practically all peoples, the flute is classified according to form, playing technique, or blowing device. Flutes are usually tubular but also occur in globular form (*globular flute); the former are said to be end-blown, rim-blown, or vertical if the upper orifice is used as a blowhole; the edge of this orifice may be notched, in which...