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The lyre (from Greek λύρα - lyra) is a stringed musical instrument well known for its use in classical antiquity and later. The recitations of the Ancient Greeks were accompanied by lyre playing. The lyre of Classical Antiquity was ordinarily played by being strummed with a plectrum, like a guitar or a zither, rather than being plucked, like a harp. The fingers of the free hand silenced the unwanted strings in the chord. The lyre is similar in appearance to a small harp, but with certain distinct differences.

The term is also used metaphorically to refer to the work or skill of a poet, as in Shelley's "Make me thy lyre, even as the forest is"1 or Byron's "I wish to tune my quivering lyre,/To deeds of fame, and notes of fire"

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Famous real-life people named Lyre: | Edit

Liir is the son of the Wicked witch of the west in Wicked.

Lyre in song, story & screen: | Edit

Liir is the son of Elphaba, the Wicked witch of the west, in Wicked. The name lyre is pronouced exactly the same.